Cancer

Franco Cavalli, born in 1942, is the chief physician for oncology in Bellinzona and a professor at the universities of Bern and Varese. In 1989, he founded the international journal Annals of Oncology, which he edited for ten years. Cavalli has received numerous international awards, including the Honorary Award from the North Down Development Organization. He served as president of the Swiss Cancer League and has been the scientific director of the Oncology Institute of Italian-speaking Switzerland in Bellinzona since 2003. In 2006, he became president of the International Union Against Cancer. He is one of the most renowned cancer researchers in Europe. Additionally, he is a co-founder of the Organization for Medical Aid for Central America and has initiated several projects in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico. Cavalli is also politically active and was the group leader of the Social Democratic Party in the Federal Parliament in Bern.

Cancer affects many people, either directly or indirectly. However, many know little about this disease: how it develops, how it manifests, how to prevent it, how to catch it at the earliest possible diagnosis, how to combat it, and what can improve the chances of recovery. Franco Cavalli, one of the most esteemed cancer specialists in Europe, provides answers to all these questions that are understandable even for laypeople. He also counters the misconception that cancer is primarily a disease of wealthy countries. The largest increase in cancer cases is now observed in the so-called Third World countries, where people are denied access to expensive medications. Franco Cavalli believes it is conceivable that we may achieve scientific success in cancer research in the near future, yet fail socially on a global scale.