New on NCI’s Websites for August 2024

August 16, 2024, by Daryl McGrath

Fiscal Year 2023 NCI Budget Fact Book

This report provides a summary of the distribution of NCI’s expenditures in fiscal year 2023 among the institute’s research programs and funding mechanisms, information about funding policies influencing grant awards, and comparisons with prior year allocations.

News Releases and Media Advisories

Researchers at NCI have published newsworthy research results in recent months, including:

• Immunotherapy Approach Shows Promise in Metastatic Solid Tumors
• Genetics of X Chromosome Loss 
• Five-Drug Combination Targets Aggressive B-Cell Lymphomas
• Daily Multivitamins Not Associated with Lower Risk of Death
• AI Tool Predicts How Cancer Patients Will Respond to Immunotherapy

Center for Cancer Health Equity

NCI’s Center for Cancer Health Equity (CCHE), formerly the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities, leads the institute’s efforts to advance cancer health equity, overcome disparities in cancer care and outcomes, and reduce the unequal burden of cancer in the United States. This post in CCHE’s Dialogue on Disparities blog discusses the reasons for the name change and how the center has been reorganized.

Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives

NCI’s Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives (CSSI) has a new presence on NCI’s website. The new section provides information on CSSI research and programs, funding opportunities, resources for the cancer research community, and reports and analyses, as well as news and events and information about the center’s organization and mission. 

Videos: Improving Appetite and Food Safety for People with Cancer

NCI has produced a series of brief videos for people with cancer who are experiencing eating-related challenges while undergoing treatment.  

• Ways to Deal with Appetite Loss During Cancer Treatment
• Improving Taste and Smell During Cancer Treatment
• Food Safety for People with Cancer

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cancer 

Artificial intelligence, the ability of machines to perform functions that are usually thought of as intelligent human behaviors, has permeated many aspects of modern life, including cancer research. This new page describes how NCI is advancing the use of AI across the spectrum of cancer research and care.

CCT Inside Cancer Careers Podcast

NCI’s Center for Cancer Training (CCT) posts new episodes of the Inside Cancer Careers podcast every other week. Recent episodes include Curiosity + Strategy = Progress, Making an Impact Through Collaboration and Community Engagement, Advocacy, Mentoring and Equity in Cancer Research, and the role of the President’s Cancer Panel.  

CGH Spotlight Blog 

NCI’s Center for Global Health (CGH) recently posted stories in its Spotlight blog about NCI and the World Health Organization’s renewal of their WHO Collaborating Center for Global Cancer Control, a partnership that was initiated in 2016; Changing the Trajectory of the Global Tobacco Epidemic; and the Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Forum. 

Research Presentations from DCTD 

NCI’s Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD) has published pages about DCTD research presented at the 2024 annual meetings of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). DCTD also posted a page about the March 6–7 NCI Workshop on Digital Pathology Imaging in Cancer Clinical Trials and Research that includes links to videos from the workshop.

DCEG Studies on Anal Cancer

NCI’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG) has updated their information on DCEG research on anal cancer. The revision includes a page dedicated to the Anal Cancer Etiology and Screening (ACES) study, a collaboration between NCI and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

Data Sharing Policy Guidance

NCI’s Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology recently added a new page dedicated to data sharing policy guidance for NCI-funded research. The page details the people, policies, requirements, and resources needed to start sharing data. 

Advances in Prostate Cancer Research

This updated page highlights some of the latest research in prostate cancer, including clinical advances that may soon translate into improved care, NCI-supported programs that are fueling progress, and research findings from recent studies.

Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer

This updated page explains the types of cancers that are most common in teens and young adults, tips on finding a doctor, and information about treatment. It also covers coping, fertility issues, and survivorship.

Understanding Prostate Changes and Conditions

This updated page explains prostate changes and symptoms that are not cancer. It also covers risk factors and treatments for benign conditions and prostate cancer, plus questions people can ask their doctor.

Common Cancer Types

NCI’s page of common cancer types has been updated with data on anticipated new cases of and deaths from common types of cancer in 2024. Cancers expected to affect 40,000 or more people per year are included in the list. 

Fertility Issues 

Learn how cancer treatment can affect fertility and ways that fertility can be preserved. The updated pages Fertility Issues in Girls and Women and Fertility Issues in Boys and Men also include questions to ask your doctor and tips on how to find financial resources and clinical trials.

Genetic Testing and Cancer Risk Reduction

The updated Genetic Testing for Inherited Cancer Risk fact sheet describes what genetic testing for inherited cancer risk is, how it’s done, who should consider testing, and what the results could mean. 

The updated Surgery to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer fact sheet explains how surgery can reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, discusses the potential benefits and harms of risk-reducing surgery, and addresses the issue of health insurance coverage for such procedures.

Agnostic Cancer Therapies

The Food and Drug Administration has approved gene- and immune-targeted drugs for tissue-agnostic, genomic biomarker–based indications in patients with lethal solid tumors and blood cancers. This new page for health professionals summarizes approved drugs and provides information about the evidence supporting these approvals.

Cancer Fatigue

Cancer fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatment. It can affect people’s ability to do routine activities and their quality of life. NCI has revised and consolidated its expert-reviewed content about cancer fatigue, what causes it, and how it can be treated.

Nausea and Vomiting and Cancer Treatment

Cancer and cancer treatments can cause nausea and vomiting. This new page explains why these side effects occur and how cancer patients experiencing them can get relief.

Cancer Statistics 

Cancer statistics describe how cancer affects large groups of people, provide a snapshot of the burden of cancer on society, and help reveal trends in specific cancers as well as cancer overall. NCI’s cancer statistics page has been updated with the most recent data available on the burden of cancer in the United States and worldwide.