Government Funding for Cancer Research

Outside of traditional fundraisers and donation drives, there is also active government funding for cancer research. Below is some detail on what funding is available through this avenue, and how it’s being used to further the efforts of doctors, researchers and patients along the road toward a cure.

Many private organizations also exist to help further cancer research

One of the main government funding programs is the money directed at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which is part of the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NCI receives its funding directly from Congress. While in the past, the amounts of money given to cancer research has varied, in the most recent of years NCI has been receiving the same amount of money each year – approximately $4.8 billion.

This money goes toward supporting the research that is being continually conducted at NCI’s main headquarters in Besthedsa, Maryland. Some of the money also goes toward labs and medical centers all throughout the U.S. and facilities abroad.

More specifically, the government funding for cancer research that NCI receives makes it possible for the organization to investigate the causes of cancer and how to prevent and/or detect them earlier and more efficiently. As a general rule, NCI uses the funding to focus on working toward prevention and eventually cures for the following types of cancer:

• lung
• prostate
• breast
• colorectal
• bladder
• lymphoma
• melanoma
• kidney
• leukemia
• uterine

Outside of Congress’ donations to NCI, there are other federal government programs that fund cancer research on a regular basis. These include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Defense (DOD).

While NCI’s website lists the ten cancers they contribute research funds to, as well as how much exactly is donated, some organizations for specific types of cancer beg to differ. Unfortunately, with or without good intentions, Congress’ money is not always distributed equally or fairly, and groups can suffer the consequences.

Take for example the Lung Cancer Alliance, a private lung cancer organization that has published reports on their website of inadequate funding from the government. According to their public statements, NCI chooses how to spend the money provided by Congress, and they currently give only 5% of that budget. Furthermore, lung cancer research allegedly receives none of the DOD and CDC money, placing them at a distinct disadvantage.

The same point can be argued by other groups, as certain cancers come into the spotlight and garner more public interest. This could, in fact, determine where the money may be donated and spent.

If you would like to ensure cancer research funding from the government is dispersed fairly and equally, you can write a letter to your local Congressman. If you’ve been personally touched by a certain type of cancer, this can make for a particularly heartfelt and powerful letter. You never know what outcome might be.

Congress has, and will continue, to fund government-sponsored cancer research programs as they remain hopeful in drawing closer toward a cure. Finding resolution to such a diverse and devastating illness such as cancer is extremely expensive and time-consuming, however the resources are available to reach these goals thanks to the government-sponsored work and private organizations working tirelessly for the task at hand.

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