Abstract
This article analyzes perspectives on cancer by the Brazilian medical professionat three different moments in the 20th century. The aim is to analyze the transformation of the concept of cancer from a civilization-related disease to an issue of public health that is associated with precarious living conditions and with difficulties of access to – and operation of – health services. Based on scientific papers and speeches of reputed Brazilian physicians this article seeks to show how views concerning the relationship between cancer and society have changed. Such transformation arguably relates mainly to two different aspects: the process of organization of medical knowledge and the practice and crossing of medical knowledge with interpretations of Brazil’s development at different moments.
Keywords
Cancer; Civilization; Development; Public health