Federal Funding for Cancer Research
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Federal funding for cancer research is critical for the fight against cancer. Without government monies, it is next to impossible to support the programs and research needed to find a cure for this dreaded disease.
The Importance of Federal Funding for Cancer Research
Cancer research not only addresses causes of the disease, but also works to develop plans for prevention, treatments and ultimately a cure. What many do not know is that in order for this research to happen, funding must be received from federal sources. Congress appropriates funding for cancer research and prevention yearly by allocating money to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cuts in federal funding have hurt cancer research. Many people are unaware of the fact that federal government can grant monies for cancer research. Most research relies on this funding to continue their efforts in the fight against cancer.
National Institutes of Health
Most cancer research is funded federally through the NCI. The NCI is one of 27 institutes and centers that comprise the U.S. National Institutes of Health and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NCI was established as the United State’s main agency for cancer research. NCI receives its money from the U.S. Congress. These funds support research at the Institute’s headquarters in Maryland, and in labs and medical centers throughout the U.S. and in other countries. Most financial support given by the NCI is in the forms of [[Free Application for Federal Grant Money | federal grants]]. The grants fund experiments and laboratory overhead and often cover salaries of scientists and investigators.
The NCI researches the following aspects of cancer:
- Cause
- Prevention
- Detection
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
For the past several years, Congress has increased its financial commitment to the fight against cancer but many feel that federal funding for cancer research through the NCI and other programs is not enough. Over the last 20 years, funding for cancer research has increased by only one percent.
Cancer Research Programs
Besides NCI, there are other programs that receive federal funds for cancer research. They include:
- Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) works closely with national organizations, state health agencies, and other key groups to develop, implement, and promote effective cancer prevention and control practices. The CDC receives federal funding but that does not mean that all of their partners will be funded federally.
- The Department of Defense has several federally funded programs that center around cancer research. For example, the Prostate Cancer Research Program of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program at the Department of Defense is one that fights to win the battle against prostate cancer.
The government can also fund specific areas of cancer research from breast cancer to ovarian cancer. They can set aside grants that address a specific cancer to be researched and studied as well.
How You Can Help
What you can do to help is simple. In order for government to make cancer research a priority, people need to take action. Make phone calls to both senators and representatives and urge them to support federal funding for cancer research. You can even write a letter to your local newspaper editor making it known that there is a need for federal funding.
Also, visit cancer.org, the official site of the American Cancer Society for latest news on cancer research. The site has a section where you can advocate for cancer.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 164 times. This page was last modified 18:49, 29 April 2009.
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