#United States #Breast Cancer #Plymouth Meeting #Novartis #NCCN

NCCN Awards New Funding to Advance Breast Cancer Care

In a significant step towards enhancing patient care for breast cancer, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has announced new funding initiatives through its Oncology Research Program (ORP). This funding aims to support innovative research projects that seek to improve the quality of care and outcomes for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer.

The NCCN's initiative is a collaborative effort that involves researchers from prestigious institutions, including the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, and the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine. The funding is made possible thanks to the generous support of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

Breast cancer remains a pressing health concern in the United States, being the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women. In 2025, it is estimated that over 300,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed. The survival rates for this disease vary significantly, with early-stage diagnoses benefiting from a relative survival rate exceeding 90%, while late-stage diagnoses face survival rates below 30%. This stark reality emphasizes the need for initiatives targeted at optimizing care across various stages of the disease.

Dr. Crystal S. Denlinger, CEO of NCCN, expressed, "People with breast cancer are living longer, partly due to novel therapeutics. We have an opportunity to improve and extend even more lives by ensuring that innovations in care are accessible for everybody." This reflects NCCN's commitment to advancing equitable healthcare for all breast cancer patients.

Awarded Research Projects

The new funding supports multiple groundbreaking projects aimed at addressing health disparities and improving the overall care for underserved populations. The selected proposals are as follows:
1. Dr. Foluso (Bisi) Ademuyiwa, Siteman Cancer Center: Focusing on a personalized approach to promote health equity by overcoming racial disparities in screening mammography. This aims to ensure that all demographics have equal access to essential preventive care.

2. Dr. Julie Dang, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center: Her project will use education and mobile mammography aimed at enhancing awareness and adherence to resources for breast cancer through community engagement.

3. Dr. Ann Kimble-Hill, Indiana University: Setting out to identify best practices to eliminate barriers to quality cancer care for underserved breast cancer patients.

4. Dr. Leah Marcotte, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and University of Washington: Developing and piloting a chatbot that supports breast cancer screening specifically among Black women, aiming to improve access and engagement.

Dr. Liviu Niculescu, Chief Medical Officer of Novartis US, remarked on the initiative, stating, "While advances in breast cancer treatment have improved outcomes, significant barriers to care remain. Our commitment to scientific innovation is matched by our dedication to ensuring everyone can access the treatment they need." This sentiment underscores the shared goal among these organizations to enhance the breast cancer treatment landscape.

Future Implications for Breast Cancer Care

The awarded projects are not only groundbreaking but also essential for transforming the future of breast cancer care. They are designed to tackle the varied challenges that patients face, particularly those in marginalized communities who often experience barriers to early diagnosis and adequate treatment.

With the selected projects anticipated to be completed within two years, the NCCN ORP aims to foster collaboration within the cancer research community to better serve patients. The initiative is part of a broader effort by the NCCN to continue driving forward quality improvement in oncology and to push the boundaries of what is possible in cancer care.

For anyone interested in learning more about these initiatives or the NCCN's ongoing commitment to cancer care, further details can be found at NCCN.org/orp. The NCCN remains dedicated to advancing patient care, research, and education over its 30-year history, striving to ensure that all individuals affected by cancer can lead healthier lives.

About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers dedicated to defining and advancing quality cancer care. Through rigorous guidelines and a commitment to research, the NCCN plays a critical role in shaping effective cancer treatment across the globe.