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  • Cancer A-Z

    Whether you or someone you love has cancer, knowing what to expect can help you cope. From basic information about cancer and its causes to in-depth information on specific cancer types – including risk factors, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment options – you’ll find it here.

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    cover of 2021 Cancer Facts and Figures on wide blue background Facts & Figures 2021 Reports Another Record-Breaking 1-Year Drop in Cancer Deaths
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    What does it take to outsmart cancer? Research. We’ve invested more than $4.9 billion in cancer research since 1946, all to find more – and better – treatments, uncover factors that may cause cancer, and improve cancer patients’ quality of life.

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  • Our Research

Fast Facts About American Cancer Society Research

The American Cancer Society has been conducting and funding cancer research since 1946. In that time, we have invested more than $4.9 billion in research spanning numerous areas, including how best to prevent and treat cancer, why and how cancer comes about, what cancer survivors need most, and how to ensure equal access to cancer care. 

The ACS Research Team

The American Cancer Society has two research divisions – one that consists of a large staff of cancer researchers who conduct their own studies (Intramural Research) and one that employs a small group of top cancer experts who oversee the program that provides funding to researchers at other institutions (Extramural grant program).

  • Meet the team members

Who ACS Funds

The American Cancer Society grant program provides funding and support for external researchers as well as training for healthcare professionals. The grant program has a strong focus on bringing fresh minds to the cancer problem. ACS only funds the best ideas – regardless of cancer type – meaning it does not predetermine a designated amount of research funding for any particular cancer type. ACS believes this is the best way to advance the field of cancer research. 

  • Learn more about the ACS grant program
  • Explore the ACS process for funding grants

How Many Researchers ACS Funds

New grants are usually awarded 2 times per year. At any one point in time, the Society directs donated dollars to fund more than 800 grantees throughout the country and across cancer types.  

  • See ACS grant funding by cancer type
  • See ACS grant funding by state

Nobel Laureates

Forty-nine researchers the American Cancer Society has funded have won the Nobel Prize.

 
  • See the list of researchers who have won

Cancer Centers

About 68% of the directors of National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers are former American Cancer Society grantees. 

  • Learn about NCI Cancer Center Programs

Cancer Facts & Figures

Every year since 1951 American Cancer Society researchers have published Cancer Facts & Figures, the definitive source for projections of the number of cancer cases and deaths expected in each state and in the nation in the current year.

  • Download the publications
  • Visit the interactive Cancer Statistics Center

Cancer Prevention Studies

American Cancer Society researchers have been conducting long-term studies consisting of millions of Americans since the 1950s. The goal of this research is to follow people over long periods of time to see who develops cancer and why. These studies have led to major cancer prevention breakthroughs, such as the links between smoking and cancer and obesity and cancer.

  • History of the cancer prevention studies

ACS Research News

The American Cancer Society regularly reports on the latest in cancer research funded by our donors, including the work of current American Cancer Society researchers and grantees.

  • ACS research updates
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