- Mission [1]
- The goal of NIH research is to acquire new knowledge to help prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat disease and disability,
from the rarest genetic disorder to the common cold, resulting in better health for everyone. Annual identification and assessment
of the issues facing the National Cancer Program contribute to the advancement of this mission and the development of the
NIH strategic plan in regards to cancer. Over its approximately 40 year history, the Panel has engaged in active dialogue
with all participants in the National Cancer Program [the Program] in an effort to assess the progress and coordination of
the Program. Each year, as mandated, the Panel has held four or more meetings to gather information and to stimulate discussion
among prominent scientists, clinicians, academia, business, industry and the government. Topics have included the effective
use of existing research facilities to expedite priority research areas; coordination of research with and by industrial concerns;
the effective collection of data, its analysis, and dissemination in support of cancer research; the development and distribution
of therapeutics of various modalities; cooperative training and exchange efforts within the United States, as well as between
the United States and foreign countries; cancer survivorship; access to care; translational research; healthy lifestyles;
environmental factors in cancer; and the development of manpower and training in fundamental science and clinical disciplines
to create and sustain the national research effort. As the President’s ear to the public on cancer, the Panel hopes to provide
information for Executive Branch strategy on cancer through its mandate to assess the efficacy of the National Cancer Program.
The meetings of the Panel present a unique opportunity to identify and bring together the vast research, health care and manpower
resources of this Nation by eliciting testimony of the public in assessment of the National Cancer Program. The PCP meetings
provide the President with a direct conduit to the public to identify both the strengths and the weaknesses of the National
Cancer Program and the opportunity to seek out needed adjustments. The need for such a body still exists and it is even more
critical as the sometimes costly technological advances made possible through cancer research must be successfully and equitably
applied throughout the country to alleviate suffering and death caused by cancer. Examples of the Panel’s accomplishments
include: the creation of the National Institutes of Health Outstanding Investigator Grant, a multi-year support grant for
the pursuit of innovative projects by successful applicants; the assessment of construction needs of major cancer research
facilities across the country; the assessment and subsequent streamlining of the Food and Drug Administration drug approval
process resulting from the efforts of a Panel subcommittee chaired by Louis Lasagna, M.D.; a comprehensive assessment of the
state of breast cancer research and knowledge conducted by the Special Commission on Breast Cancer, a subcommittee of the
Panel chaired by Nancy Brinker; and an IOM assessment of the impact of the HIPAA Privacy Rule on the conduct of health research.
In 2002, the Panel explored issues relating to the unique needs of the American Indian/Alaska Native community. Testimony
was heard during a two-day meeting in Toppenish, Washington on the Yakama Indian Reservation. A report on the Panel findings
and recommendations, released at the biennial meeting of the Intercultural Cancer Council, were made available. A patient
navigator program, the Northwest Native American Patient Pilot Navigation Research Program (NW PNP), under an inter-agency
agreement between NCI and Indian Health Service has been implemented in the Pacific Northwest to guide access to available
cancer care and the National Cancer Institute, through its Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, issued a RFA to investigators
interested in developing efficient and effective patient navigation programs through the Patient Navigation Research Program.
Preliminary findings of the NW PNP show that Navigators help patients understand their diagnosis and treatment options; get
to their appointments and adhere to recommended cancer treatments; find health care insurance coverage; learn to trust their
care providers and the health care system; and communicate with physicians. In addition, Navigators have increased the number
of local and regional collaborations and partnerships between tribal clinics and other organizations. The Panel has also made
recommendations regarding improvement of technology transfer, health communications, the meaning of race in science, the state
of training in science, the role of voluntary organizations in the National Cancer Program, avoidable causes of cancer, the
impact of the human genome project, culture, and changes in the health care system on the national cancer research effort.
In 1999, the Panel identified the disconnect existing between the knowledge generated by the national cancer research effort
and the application of that knowledge to reduce the cancer burden as the single greatest barrier to achieving the goals of
the National Cancer Program. This area is now a major focus of the Institute of Medicine and C-Change. In 2000 and 2001, the
Panel met with representatives of all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Pacific Territories to review
causes for that disconnect and local approaches in resolving it. A report of the Panel findings and recommendations was made
available.In 2003/2004, the Panel examined the concept of cancer survivorship during five meetings throughout the United States
and Europe. The Panel took a life span approach to the issue and solicited testimony from survivors, family members, caregivers,
providers, insurers, advocates and others concerned with the challenges faced by survivors post-treatment. The report of the
Panel parallels survivorship efforts mounted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
A report highlighting the conclusions and recommendations of the Panel was made available, as was a supplement report that
outlines issues faced by cancer survivors in European countries.In 2004/2005, the Panel engaged stakeholders throughout the
cancer community to explore issues relating to the translation of research into cancer care. Participants at these meetings
included healthcare providers, researchers, administrators, pharmaceutical executives, cancer center directors, advocates,
survivors and others interested in the effective translation of research into practice. Recommendations were made in the areas
of team science and the culture of research, infrastructure needs, regulatory issues, dissemination of research findings,
access and community participation. In 2005/2006, the Panel convened four meetings to assess progress toward implementing
key recommendations from each of its two most recent annual reports to the President, Living Beyond Cancer: Finding a New
Balance and Translating Research into Cancer Care: Delivering on the Promise. A total of 45 stakeholders from government,
academia, industry, the nonprofit sector, the advocacy community and other provider organizations participated in roundtable
discussions to identify progress made in implementing selected recommendations, suggest critical priorities and identify potential
collaborations related to the recommendations and to indicate commitments to advancing change. In 2006/2007, the Panel convened
four meetings to explore how diet, physical activity, obesity, tobacco, and environmental tobacco smoke may affect cancer
risk. Specific issues including but not limited to sedentary lifestyles; the built environment; the food, beverage and tobacco
industries and tobacco control were explored. These meetings brought together experts in these fields; community programs
working to combat obesity and tobacco use were also highlighted by speakers. Resultant recommendations include actions that
can be taken by policymakers, organizations and by individuals and families to help reduce the risk of cancer. In 2007/2008,
the Panel convened four meetings to explore ways to maximize the nation’s investment in cancer. Specific issues addressed
included: potential changes to the current research and care systems that would make the largest impact on cancer mortality
and morbidity; the role of business models in the cancer research enterprise; cancer-related appropriations; the optimal balance
of resources across the cancer continuum; and the role of NCI in the cancer community. A total of 40 stakeholders from government,
academia, industry, the nonprofit sector, the advocacy community and other organizations participated in the series. Meetings
were conducted in a roundtable format with a professional facilitator guiding the discussion.In 2008/2009, the Panel convened
four meetings to explore the role of the environment in cancer. Specific issues addressed included: potential changes to governmental
regulations and policies that protect workers from exposure to carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic materials; the efficacy
of the U.S. regulatory system on environmental pollutants; links between cancer and soil, water and food contamination; the
health effects of air pollutants; and the health risks associated with increasing exposure to ionizing radiation. Participants
at these meetings included health care experts, scientists, government representatives, advocates, and public health professionals.
The recommendations from these meetings include actions that can be taken by policymakers, organizations, and individuals.In
2009/2010, the Panel convened four meetings to explore the implications for cancer as the proportion of ethnic sub-populations
increases in the United States over the coming decades. Specific issues addressed included: the effectiveness, appropriateness
and relevance of current cancer screening guidelines; the impact of culture and ethnicity on the clinical encounter and on
health disparities; the effect of biologically based differences between ethnic groups in clinical presentation or response
to cancer treatments; and the impact of programs designed to increase access to services such as patient navigation and medical
translator services. A total of 45 stakeholders from government, academia, industry, the nonprofit sector, the advocacy community
and other organizations participated in this series. Meetings were conducted in a panel-presentation format and were open
to the public.In 2010/2011, the Panel convened four meetings to hear expert testimony on the state of the National Cancer
Program and the vision of the course of cancer research in the next fifteen years. The Panel was specifically interested in
hearing expert testimony address the following questions: what new models of research, collaboration, communication, and funding
are needed to promote transformative change within the National Cancer Program; what new medical, ethical and legal issues
will be encountered as the National Cancer Program progresses into a new era of science; what are the barriers (e.g., money,
workforce/training issues) to advancing the National Cancer Program and how can they be surmounted? A total of 47 stakeholders
from government, academia, nonprofit, advocacy and other organizations participated in this series. Meetings were conducted
in a panel-presentation format and were open to the public.
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