It has been claimed that descriptions of schizophrenia-like disorders were rare before 1800 in the Western world. Historical evidence from medieval Islamic society shows that madness was common in that society. Despite the limitations of the evidence, we propose that medieval Islamic physicians probably diagnosed and treated many cases of schizophrenia.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in American women, and lung cancer is the deadliest. The etiology of breast cancer is not clear, although 85% of lung cancers are explained by cigarette smoking. A research review of the social perception of serious illness has shown that causal explanations fall into two categories: (1) patient behavior and (2) factors outside the patient's control. Presented in this review are questions concerning (1) patient coping, (2) stigma, and (3) the responses of the health care and research communities. Suggestions are made for further study of the social perception of lung and breast cancers.

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