News

Healthy foods displayed on a table, including salmon, garlic, avocado, and walnuts.
This issue we showcase genetically predicted circulating PUFAs and colorectal cancer risk, miRNAs as early indicators of lifestyle changes in women with breast cancer, and how antibiotics, historically used in preclinical… read more
POSTED: 08/19/2021
STAT First Opinion
In 2020, a year of unimaginable tragedy, an estimated 375,000 people died from Covid-19 infections in the United States alone. Much of the suffering and death due to the disease was preventable in three ways: through avoidance by wearing masks and social distancing; by screening and treatment; and… read more
POSTED: 08/09/2021
A young adult using a smartphone.
Being a teenager or young adult is hard enough. Add a cancer diagnosis, and the challenges—which can range from severe fatigue to financial stress—are likely to multiply.
POSTED: 08/04/2021
Cancer Prevention word cloud with the science's keywords.
Philip Castle, Ph.D., M.P.H., joined NCI in July 2020 as director of the Division of Cancer Prevention (DCP). Dr. Castle previously worked at NCI in the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (2002–2010), where he led numerous research projects, including studies of HPV and its connection to… read more
POSTED: 07/20/2021
Image of needle injecting vaccine in arm.
One of the first-ever vaccines for the prevention of colorectal and other cancers in patients at high genetic risk for these malignancies is expected to start its early phase safety and immunogenicity trial in the first quarter of 2022, according to investigators… read more
POSTED: 07/13/2021
Bob Aronson was only 54 years old and, in the words of his son Tom, “extremely healthy.” “So it was really surprising to everyone when he went in for an annual routine eye exam and his eye doctor suspected diabetes,” Tom recalled. With his diabetes diagnosis confirmed, Bob got back to his normal… read more
POSTED: 07/07/2021
2019 Group photo of the CPFP Fellows.
Preventing cancer today and in the future lies at the heart of the National Cancer Institute’s competitive postdoctoral fellowship program, which is accepting candidate applications for the 2022 class until August 16, 2021. Fellowship Program Application The CPFP application period is now CLOSED… read more
POSTED: 05/25/2021
A group of high-risk prostate cancer subjects and age-matched healthy subjects (52-84 years old).
The warming weather brings outdoor grilling and a good time to showcase recent publications on heterocyclic aromatic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their role in cancer. We highlight oxidative stress in men… read more
POSTED: 05/13/2021
Clinical trial participants share why they joined clinical trials of new ways to prevent, detect, and treat cancer and the side effects of cancer treatment.
POSTED: 05/04/2021
Scientists have identified more than 1,000 potential new biomarkers for cancer that they hope will aid in the early detection of many of these complex diseases, including one of the most challenging, pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancers have long defied early… read more
POSTED: 04/27/2021
AACR Annual Meeting 2021
On Demand Session Type: Major Symposium  Session Title: Colorectal Cancer Interception: Immunologic and Pharmacologic Advances Companion session to Live Panel discussion Thursday, April 15 at 1:30 PM Multiantigen vaccines for Colon Cancer Prevention, Shizuko Sei, National Cancer Institute,… read more
POSTED: 04/23/2021
An MRI of a pancreas with cysts presenting.
In a new NCI-sponsored study now recruiting participants, investigators will evaluate two different screening strategies for non-cancerous pancreatic cysts to determine which works best at detecting early malignancy. Even though few of these sac-like structures are likely to develop into… read more
POSTED: 04/08/2021
After decades of opposition to decriminalizing cannabis products (especially marijuana), a more permissive attitude toward cannabis and its derivative products has taken hold today at the state level. At the same time, inconsistencies in state policies conflict with federal law, which itself,… read more
POSTED: 03/08/2021
A 3D illustration of human kidneys.
This issue showcases results from the VITAL trial on vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids on kidney function, anti-colonic inflammation properties of black raspberry, and the reversal of the Warburg effect by sulforaphane in… read more
POSTED: 03/03/2021
NCI 50 years graphic
For centuries, visionary physicians have stressed preventing disease as the best option. I frequently say that the “best” cancer is the cancer that never happens. Today, we turn our attentions to the scientists who made stride after stride during the last 50 years to shape cancer prevention… read more
POSTED: 03/01/2021
During chemotherapy for an advanced blood cancer, Stacey Blansky vaped marijuana daily for her nausea and used cannabis oil for anxiety and stress. The decision to add these complex, plant-derived substances to ease her treatment’s side effects came after doing her own research on possible benefits… read more
POSTED: 02/24/2021
Up close view of Aspirin tablets.
Millions of older Americans take aspirin daily to reduce their risk for heart disease and colorectal cancer. But, new data suggests this protective edge for colorectal cancer comes only if they begin taking aspirin before age 70. In a pooled analysis of two… read more
POSTED: 02/11/2021
Screen grab of the virtual meeting with the First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden.
Dr. Jill Biden, Ed.D., First Lady of the United States, joined NCI leaders and staff for a special virtual event marking World Cancer Day, February 4. Among the progress highlighted was the work of the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) in bringing clinical trials to diverse… read more
POSTED: 02/04/2021
A meeting of 4 medical professional around a table.
The executive summary is available of an inaugural workshop to encourage and forge partnerships between oncologists, primary care providers and medical specialists to promote accrual to clinical cancer control and prevention trials conducted by the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP).
POSTED: 02/04/2021
A bottle of Naproxen placed atop a table with some tablets displayed.
An over-the-counter drug, readily available to consumers for years, may open a new option for preventing colorectal cancer in high-risk individuals. It's not the mouse that roared but the quiet mouse behind the scenes that inspired researchers to look at the anti-inflammatory drug, naproxen, said… read more
POSTED: 02/03/2021
Histological slide (H & E stain at x300) showing prostate cancer.
This month, the Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) marks its 20th anniversary. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) launched the network in 2000 with the goal of identifying and harnessing biomarkers as a way of detecting cancer at earlier stages. Today, the network comprises more than 300… read more
POSTED: 12/21/2020
DCP Director Philip E. Castle, Ph.D., M.P.H. As this unforgettable year of 2020 comes to an end, I am reaching the milestone of my first 6 months as Director of the NCI Division of Cancer Prevention (DCP). It has been a whirlwind of virtual meetings and… read more
POSTED: 12/17/2020
Portraits of Principal investigators Katherine D. Crew, M.D., M.S., (left) and Rita Kukafka, Dr.P.H., M.A. (right)
The SWOG Cancer Research Network is opening to accrual the MiCHOICE Trial to study the use of decision support tools by women with high-risk breast conditions and their healthcare providers to choose among chemoprevention… read more
POSTED: 12/08/2020
Image of clinician's hands typing on laptop on office desk from above.
If you were concerned that you might be at increased risk for a specific kind of cancer, what would you do to confirm that risk, and what would you be willing to do to reduce that risk? The answer is likely to be, "it depends on your doctor." Quotes from Focus Group Participants "The claim of… read more
POSTED: 11/19/2020
In a commentary written by several of its clinical scientific leaders, changes were proposed to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) clinical trials program to improve clinical trial availability, effectiveness, and diversity. The article, “COVID-19, Social Justice, and Clinical Cancer Research,”… read more
POSTED: 11/16/2020