INDUSTRY NEWS: War on Cancer Redux

Applied Genetics News,  March, 2002  

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California Senator Dianne Feinstein has introduced the "The National Cancer Act of 2002," designed to reinvigorate the Nation's "War on Cancer" that was declared 31 years ago by then- President Richard M. Nixon when he signed the National Cancer Act of 1971. The new bill was developed on the basis of recommendations from the National Cancer Legislative Advisory Committee, a group of cancer researchers and advocates chosen by Senator Feinstein to create a "battle plan" to conquer cancer. The scope of the bill is broad and focuses on early detection, prevention, treatment, and quality of life.

The bill proposes to increase the budget of the NCI by 10% per year from 2004 through 2007, and to increase the funding of research grant proposals to 40%. Currently the funding level for scientifically meritorious proposals in cancer research is approximately 25%.

Specifically, the bill calls for significant increases in the support of cancer research; acceleration of the translation of scientific advances into new treatments and technologies, with more resources and authorities for the National Cancer Institute to create "translational cancer research centers"; increased enrollment of adult patients in clinical trials to test the efficacy of new cancer therapies; increased emphasis on the development of public-private partnerships to speed the application of new discoveries to cancer patients; and finally, the regulation of tobacco. The legislation proposes to make the advances in cancer research widely available to all Americans through new cancer screening and prevention strategies that will require insurance company reimbursement.

"The AACR is especially encouraged by Senator Feinstein's recognition that the nation needs to establish a multi-year funding plan for the vitally important cancer research that is being conducted and funded primarily through the National Cancer Institute," states Anna D. Barker, chairperson of the American Association of Cancer Research's Science Policy and Legislative Affairs Committee.

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