Are the cases of cancer increasing or are we becoming more aware?

Cancers of all kinds are the new worries of the world but has the cases of cancer increased or is our society more aware of them (and able to identify them as cancer)? And is this just from the increased UV radiation exposure or are there more causes?

Everybody dies of something, and the fact that so many diseases have been cured or become treatable means that we wind up dying of something else. That "something else" is likely to be cancer, because cancer represents the ultimate breakdown of fundamental cell processes. When fewer people die of pneumonia, tuberculosis, diabetes and its side effects, and even heart disease, they live longer, but die of basic cell problems like cancer.

If we all lived only until an average age of 40, there would be less chance for cancer to get us. If we live until 80, it has many more chances. Good luck!!

Becoming more aware, living longer, not dying of infectious diseases as much.

Population is increasing too.

Potentially both, but, as you say, it could be better reporting and intervention

definitely being more aware and advanced screening methods make it seem like cancer is increasing, but actually it's probably about the same.

I think we just have much better diagnostics. The upshot to that is that we're also getting more effective treatment.

I dont know but it seems to me like now a day EVERYONE is getting cancer. I hear stories at work, at school, and even when I am out in the street. I am true believer that the reason there is so many people with cancer is because all this food that is being process with antibiotic, hormone growth and pesticides. As long as that continue you will hear more and more stories. sad but true. my mom had breast cancer and had a great speedy recovery and now a yr later is diagnosed with liver and bone cancer. very sad

I know that people are becoming more aware...depends on which cancers though...I found this link and its from the American Cancer Society...they have plenty of records that show the statistics, currently and also from the past...looks to me that there are more and more aware these days and are doing what they can to avoid their health's risks...Hope this helps...

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/stt/stt_0....

i think people are becoming more aware and catching it early on. some time ago, a tumor may have been classified as a mere polip, but now doctors can identify it as cancerous. however, the growing popularity of smoking could be classified as one of the obvious causes for an increase in cases.