Cancer
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease. In 2009, it is estimated that nearly 1.5 million new cases of invasive cancer will be diagnosed in this country and more than 560,000 people will die of the disease. Far from being a single disease, more than 100 types of cancer have been identified based on their association with different organs and cell types.

ARRA funds are accelerating cancer research and advancing innovations that will make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancerInvestments have been made strategically based on seven key objectives.

• Accelerate and expand cancer research including the genetic basis of cancer, molecular targets, proteomics, and nanotechnology
• Advance personalized cancer treatment and prevention
• Redesign the cancer informatics infrastructure to break down the barriers related to data sharing and management.
• Revamp the clinical trial system to optimize the process of assessing potential therapies.
• Collaborate for great impact – foster team science and coordinate clinical and translational research
• Strengthen the research workforce by expanding the number of grants for first time applicants who are just beginning their careers in cancer research and recruiting new faculty at Cancer Centers.
• Improve care and quality of life for all cancer patients by investigating factors that contribute to health disparities and funding resources, such as biobanks, that are crucial to health disparities research.
  
  

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