What Science Knows about Cancer
Course Overview
Arm yourself with information. In this course taught by a frontline cancer researcher, you discover how cancer is caused, how it works, and what science is doing to stop it.
Course No. 1956
This 24-lecture course with cancer researcher Dr. David Sadava reveals:
- The molecular mechanisms behind cancer development
- How genetic mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth
- Cutting-edge treatments from immunotherapy to targeted drugs
- Prevention strategies and screening controversies
Featuring patient case studies, clinical trial data, and 3D animations to visualize cancer biology.
Video Lectures
Module 1: Understanding Cancer
- Cancer Is an Ongoing Challenge (31 min)
History of cancer research from early theories to modern molecular biology. - Cancer Is a Major Burden to Society (30 min)
Global cancer statistics and economic impacts. - Discovering Causes of Cancer in Populations (30 min)
How epidemiological studies identify risk factors. - Some Causes of Cancer in Populations (31 min)
Tobacco, radiation, pesticides and other environmental triggers.
Module 2: Cancer at the Cellular Level
- DNA Is the Key to Understanding Cancer (30 min)
How genetic mutations initiate cancerous changes. - How Does DNA Change to Initiate Cancer? (31 min)
Chemical carcinogens vs. radiation damage mechanisms. - How Do We Know If Something Causes Cancer? (32 min)
Testing methods from lab studies to risk analysis. - How Do Normal Cells Function? (31 min)
Cell biology basics and the cloning breakthrough.
Module 3: Tumor Biology
- What Is Different about Cancer Cells? (30 min)
9 hallmarks of cancer cells including immortality. - How Do Tumors Grow? (30 min)
Benign vs malignant tumors and metastasis. - How Tumors Spread and Thrive (31 min)
Angiogenesis and immune system evasion. - What Are Tumor Viruses? (32 min)
Epstein-Barr, HPV and other cancer-linked viruses.
Module 4: Genetic Factors
- How Do Tumor Viruses Cause Cancer? (28 min)
Viral hijacking of cell division controls. - How Do Cancer-Causing Genes Work? (30 min)
Oncogenes and their role in childhood cancers. - Can Cancer Be Inherited? (30 min)
BRCA1 and other hereditary cancer syndromes. - How Do Normal Genes Suppress Tumors? (32 min)
Tumor suppressor genes as cellular brakes.
Module 5: Modern Treatments
- How Do Genetic Changes Result in Cancer? (33 min)
Cancer Genome Project and personalized medicine. - Treating Cancer with Surgery (31 min)
Evolution of surgical techniques and diagnostics. - Treating Cancer with Radiation (32 min)
Proton therapy, brachytherapy and stem cell transplants. - Treating Cancer with Drugs (31 min)
Chemotherapy origins and plant-derived compounds.
Module 6: Future Directions
- How Do Drugs Attack Cancer? (34 min)
Methotrexate, tamoxifen and drug resistance. - Frontiers of Cancer Treatment (31 min)
Immunotherapy and tumor-targeting viruses. - Can Screening for Cancer Be Useful? (32 min)
Breast exams, PSA tests and early detection debates. - Can Cancer Be Prevented? (35 min)
Chemoprevention and reducing environmental risks.

