The National Cancer Act of 1971, enacted as part of the nation’s war on cancer, established the Cancer Centers Program of the National Cancer Institute. This branch was charged with developing a network of distinguished cancer-research organizations characterized by scientific excellence and the ability to bring a diversity of research approaches to bear on the problem of cancer.

In 2002 UC Davis Cancer Center became the nation's 61st National Cancer Institute center.

According to the NCI, its designated centers "are the major sources of new knowledge relating to the nature of cancer and of new and more effective approaches to prevention, diagnosis and therapy."

To win NCI designation, a cancer center must prove itself capable of making a major contribution to the nation's war on cancer. The designation process typically takes years.

UC Davis Cancer Center began aiming for NCI designation in 1990, building a competitive research program while sustaining and improving its comprehensive patient-care programs. The Cancer Center first received designation in July 2002. In August 2005, the UC Davis Cancer Center's designation was renewed for five years, the longest term possible.

Here is what the NCI has to say:

• "Research in cancer centers... offers patients options for prevention, diagnosis and treatment that may not be available elsewhere."



• "Patients benefit in better access to the latest therapies and better opportunities to take part in early trials of promising treatments."



• "(NCI-designated) centers play an important role in their communities and regions and serve to influence standards of cancer prevention and treatment."

Besides prestige, NCI designation carries with it a renewable Cancer Center Support Grant. UC Davis Cancer Center received $1.2 million a year for the first three years of designation and will receive $2.8 million annually from 2005 through 2010.

Unlike typical NCI grants, support grants do not support one researcher or any single research project. Instead, the grants are intended to strengthen a cancer center's research infrastructure, and provide the financial flexibility necessary for investigators to pursue new scientific opportunities as they arise. In addition, NCI designation makes it easier for an institution to compete for other federal, state and private research grants.

Northern California

• Stanford Cancer Center, Stanford
• UC Davis Cancer Center, Sacramento
• UCSF Cancer Center, San Francisco

Southern California

• City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, Duarte
• The Burnham Institute, La Jolla
• The Salk Institute, La Jolla
• UC San Diego Cancer Center, La Jolla
• UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles
• USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles
• UC Irvine Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Orange

Nationally

• For a complete list go to: http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/cancer-centers-list.html