National Cancer Institute (NCI) shared on LinkedIn:
“When we talk about progress against cancer, treatment often gets the spotlight. Prevention equally deserves our attention.
As an oncologist, I have spent much of my career treating cancer after it develops. As NCI Director, I also have a responsibility to help make fewer diagnoses necessary in the first place.
We know prevention works. Reducing tobacco use, HPV vaccination, screening, and early detection have already helped drive down cancer mortality.
NCI’s commitment is to keep pushing prevention science forward. The NCI Division of Cancer Prevention supports research across prevention and interception, screening and early detection, and symptom science. NCI also supports clinical research networks that test prevention and screening approaches in people and communities across the country. Recently, I appointed Dr. Phil Castle as NCI Associate Director for Prevention to help coordinate efforts across the institute and identify, evaluate, and translate strategies that can prevent cancer or halt its progression. As Dr. Castle often notes,
‘The best cancer is the one you never get.’
Prevention is also a good example of why public investment in cancer research is crucial. Economic and logistical realities can make long-term prevention research less attractive to private investment. NCI can support the rigorous studies, infrastructure, and follow-up needed to answer questions that may take years but have the potential to benefit millions of patients and save our healthcare ecosystem money.
We fill this gap for patients. Recent examples include NCI’s work providing critical evidence for FDA approval of at-home cervical cancer screening tests and studies showing that a single dose of the HPV vaccine works as well as two doses in preventing HPV infections associated with cancer. We are also continuing to work at the leading edge of prevention science by developing strategies for evaluating emerging screening technologies like multi-cancer detection tests.
Our FY 2028 Annual Plan reflects that full continuum of responsibility. Better treatments are essential. So is preventing cancer when we can, finding it earlier when we cannot, and making proven approaches accessible to more people.
– Tony.
Tuesdays with Tony
When we talk about progress against cancer, treatment often gets the spotlight. Prevention equally deserves our attention. As Dr. Phil
Castle often notes, The best cancer is the one you never get.”
You can also read: SLACOM Session at LGCW: New and Innovative Strategies in Global Cancer Prevention: Ultrascreening and Risk Reduction Strategies
