Final answer:
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the US, behind cardiovascular disease. It is a group of diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth and is influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The second leading cause of death in the US, behind cardiovascular disease, is cancer. Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. It is a major cause of death in developed countries and is influenced by various genetic and environmental factors.