Cancer Research And Treatment

what is history of american cancer society?

 

American Cancer SocietyIn 1913, 10 physicians and fivelaypeople founded the AmericanSociety for the Control of Cancer.Its stated purpose was todisseminate knowledge aboutcancer symptoms, treatment, andprevention; to investigateconditions under which cancerwas found; and to compile cancerstatistics. Later renamed theAmerican Cancer Society, Inc.(ACS), the organization hasgrown to 13 division offices, morethan 3,000 community offices,and more than 2 millionvolunteers working to conquercancer. The mission of the ACS isto ". . .be the nationwidecommunity-based voluntaryhealth organization dedicated toeliminating cancer as a majorhealth problem by preventingcancer, saving lives, anddiminishing suffering from cancer,through research, education,advocacy, and service."The ACS is fortunate to havemany strong partners equally committed to eliminatingcancer as a major health problem. For several decades, theACS has enjoyed a collaborative relationship with ASCO inthe support of research aimed at improving the prevention,diagnosis, and treatment of cancer; the development ofprograms to prevent, detect, and treat cancer; theadvancement of public policies to provide access to highquality care for all patients with cancer; and the education ofphysicians and other professionals in the care of patients withcancer. The ACS and community also benefit from theinvolvement of ASCO members as volunteers at the locallevel.

 

Whether through direct service such as training ofoncologists and patient care or by providing leadership to layACS volunteers, ASCO members through their voluntarismhave made a huge and much-appreciated contribution to thework of the ACS.The ACS continues to enjoy wide support for its efforts fromthe public.

 

Despite the tragedies of the December 2004tsunami and 2005's Hurricane Katrina, financialcontributions for fiscal year 2005 rose nearly 10%. Theserecent events understandably could have directed publicsupport elsewhere, but our experience shows that publicconcern and commitment to fighting cancer remain strong.The impact the ACS and its volunteers make is throughresearch programs and collaborative partnerships, from thelegislative process to information dissemination, andcommunity interventions. The Society's advocacy and publicpolicy efforts help ensure that lawmakers at every level ofgovernment understand scientific evidence and adopt policies,laws, and regulations that will help win the fight againstcancer. Research is the key to providing evidence for cancercare and public policy decision makers.The ACS's comprehensive research program has three maincomponents: extramural grants that fund basic and ppliedresearchers at universities, research institutes, and cancercenters throughout the United States; intramuralepidemiology and surveillance research; and behavioralresearch. ACS is the largest source of private, nonprofit cancerresearch funds in the United States, having invested morethan $2.7 billion and supported the early careers of 38 NobelPrize winners.The work of ACS-supported research, both intramural andextramural, has led to significant progress in the control ofcancer. One of the most important weapons the ACS has inthe fight against cancer is its prevention and early detectionguidelines. The ACS currently offers prevention, screening,and early detection recommendations for cancers of the breast,cervix, colon and rectum, prostate, and endometrium, as well asguidance regarding testing for lung cancer and generalrecommendations for healthy diets and physical activity.