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Welcome to the National Cancer Institute

Since the passage of the National Cancer Act over 30 years ago, our nation has made great progress in reducing the burden of cancer. While we have much more to learn about this complex disease, our increased understanding of cancer at the genetic, molecular, and cellular levels is opening up enormous opportunity to interrupt the initiation and progression of the disease. Over the course of the 20th century, the primary strategy for treating cancer was "seek and destroy." Now, in an effort to preserve healthy cells and improve outcomes, we are increasing efforts to "target and control" cancer by modulating and altering the behavior of the disease. Someday, we will eliminate cancer, but for today our immediate goal is to eliminate the suffering and death due to cancer. I have publicly issued a challenge to the cancer community to achieve this goal by 2015.

This is a bold and ambitious goal, but our path is certain and our progress rapid. Our strategy for pursuing this goal is best expressed by the concept of preemption. We will strive to prevent cancer before it starts, identify cancers that do develop at the earliest stage, eliminate cancers through innovative treatment interventions, and biologically control those cancers that we cannot eliminate so they become manageable, chronic diseases.

Critical to our ultimate success will be the collaborations and partnerships necessary to further scientific discovery, to translate that discovery into the development of better prevention, detection, and treatment methods, and to deliver that progress to all who are in need. Our research portfolio is extensive and contains many innovative initiatives intended to accelerate our progress in eliminating the suffering and death due to cancer.

I invite you to explore our Web site for valuable cancer-related health information and to find out more about the exciting work being conducted by NCI-supported scientists throughout the country. For the general public and health professionals, we offer consumer-oriented information on a wide range of topics as well as comprehensive descriptions of our research programs. Scientists will find detailed information on specific areas of research and funding opportunities.

Thank you for your interest in cancer research and the NCI.

Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D.
Director, National Cancer Institute


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