A large proportion of cancers is preventable. External factors, discovered by epidemiological studies during the last 50 years, account for a majority of all cancer deaths. However, still rather little is known, about how environmental and genetic factors interact, how they may regulate gene activation etc. And it is a long way from the discovery of a basic regulatory mechanism to practical patient treatment. This volume describes the present state of the art in carcinogenesis, possibilities for cancer prevention, and gives genetic background in cancer development. Attention is given to the host-environment interaction, considering how this interaction may lead to cancer formation and how it can be utilised in cancer prevention. The molecular basis for cancer development and the molecular basis for prevention are described.

1 Causes of Cancer and Opportunities for Prevention

2 Genetic and Environmental Factors in Carcinogenesis
3 Genetic Pathways to Human Cancer
4 Signalling Pathways as Targets in Cancer Prevention
5 TP53 in Carcinogenesis and Cancer Prevention
6 Apoptosis
7 Deficient DNA Mismatch Repair in Carcinogenesis
8 Epigenetic Changes, Altered DNA Methylation and Cancer
9 Hormonal Carcinogenesis
10 Angiogenesis: A Promising Target for Cancer Prevention
11 Arachidonic Acid Pathway in Cancer Prevention
12 Infections, Inflammation and Cancer: Roles of Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species
13 Infections and the Etiology of Human Cancer: Epidemiological Evidence and Opportunities for Prevention
14 Xenobiotic Metabolism and Cancer Susceptibility
15 Animal Models for Mechanistic Cancer Research
16 New Promising Chemopreventive Agents and Mechanisms
17 Molecular Epidemiology in Cancer Prevention.