title: ["The King of Diseases": the special attention that is paid to cancer patients and how it came about? An Essay].
abstract: The history of cancer in the 20(th) century demonstrates that various factors have contributed to the perception of cancer as the "Emperor of All Maladies" although this has never been true from an epidemiological perspective. Depending on the geographical area, infectious diseases like tuberculosis or malaria or cardiovascular diseases still head the list of the most common illnesses. Within the group of chronic degenerative diseases, however, cancer has outdistanced the widespread classic infectious diseases as a result of the epidemiologic transition in 1900, at least in the more developed countries. Under the Nazi dictatorship (from 1933 to 1945), the perception of cancer in Germany got particularly promoted for propaganda purposes. In the Atomic Era cancer attracted strong public interest as a worthwhile object of research in radiation therapies using large-scale facilities (electron accelerators, "electron guns"). A further upsurge of interest in cancer could then be witnessed in the context of the debate about the pathogenic role of environmental factors. Notably, this increased perception of cancer has not yet been significantly associated with a sweeping success in cancer treatment, but rather with ideologies, hopes and innovation impulses. (As supplied by publisher).
authors.affiliation: Institut für Geschichte und Ethik der Medizin, Universität Heidelberg. wolfgang.eckart@histmed.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Wolfgang U
authors.initials: WU
authors.lastname: Eckart
mesh_terms: D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000266:history*; D005858:Germany; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D028683:National Socialism / Q000266:history*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000266:history*; D011639:Public Opinion / Q000266:history*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000266:history*
chemical_list: D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental