Department of Experimental Cancer Research / Abteilung Experimentelle Krebsforschung (AEK)

The history of the German Cancer Society :
At the end of the 19th century there was an unmanageable number of publications and the most varied theories on the development of tumorous diseases. Among other things, it was thought that cancer is a result of infections with microorganisms and thus comparable to tuberculosis. The scientific analysis of the cancer at that time was based largely on the observation of individual cases.

Organization :
The German Cancer Society is a non-profit association and is divided into three sections :
• The section A includes the 16 state cancer companies. They are independent associations in each state and do regional work.
• In Section B academics and relatives can not academic professions become members who are active in research, treatment and control of cancer. Section B comprises 24 working groups in the departments Experimental Cancer Research (AEK) and Clinical Cancer Research (AKK) as well as 7 interdisciplinary study groups.
• Companies, corporations and other organizations that want to promote the purpose of the association of the German Cancer Society, can in the section C to become a member.