Cancer is still a primary global health concern that affects morbidity and mortality rates all around the world. This chapter extensively reviews cancer drug targets and resistance mechanisms. It highlights the pathophysiology of cancer, emphasizing the abnormal cellular processes and molecular mechanisms responsible for carcinogenesis and disease advancement. The complex cellular signaling mechanisms and genetic changes linked to the onset of cancer are also explained in this section. The necessity of early detection and precise diagnosis for the best possible patient outcomes is emphasized. Brief highlights are also conducted on cancer risk factors, encompassing lifestyle, genetic, and environmental aspects. The elucidation of anticancer drug resistance processes illuminates the obstacles encountered in surmounting resistance mechanisms and augmenting treatment response. By acquiring knowledge about the complex characteristics of cancer, scientists and medical professionals may keep developing the field and enhance the prognosis of cancer patients worldwide.