The Complexity Of Cancer

  • Photograph by Peter Hapak for TIME

    Cancer's terrible power comes in part from its own twisted logic: it's the body turning against itself for reasons we still cannot completely fathom. It's not a possibility that anyone really wants to think about, which is why Dr. Oz's opening story about his cancer scare in our special health package on cancer detection and treatment is so instructive. Just like the patients who sometimes drive him crazy, he procrastinated and disobeyed instructions. It's some consolation to the rest of us that even the good doctor doesn't always follow his own advice.

    As we were sending our issue to press, the World Health Organization announced that cell phones are "possibly carcinogenic." It was a chance for our own Bryan Walsh, who has written extensively on this topic, to analyze the studies to date and separate the facts from the fears. In our package, deftly curated by science editor Jeffrey Kluger, we address the biggest questions regarding cancer--scientific, therapeutic, emotional and personal. You'll find powerful and moving stories about the anxiety of getting screened, whether screenings are truly effective, why some patients refuse treatment, which cancer charities best put your money to work and how researchers are unraveling the genome of cancer and learning to use its DNA against it. Be sure to watch Dr. Oz talk about his piece on his syndicated show, which is taking the spot formerly occupied by The Oprah Winfrey Show in more than 80 markets around the country.

    One other television note: Fareed Zakaria's piece this week on America's need to innovate is the basis for his hourlong special on CNN, Restoring the American Dream: How to Innovate.

    Richard Stengel, MANAGING EDITOR