Milestones in the National Cancer Program 1971 National Cancer Act signed by President Nixon on December 23. 1973 First eight comprehensive cancer centers recognized. Today, there are 26 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers that support a strong core of research in several fields, community-based cancer prevention programs, training and continuing education programs for health care professionals, and studies offering patients access to new therapies. In addition, there are 10 basic cancer centers, 18 clinical centers, and a single consortium center specializing in cancer prevention and control research. 1973 SEER Program established. NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program collects and publishes statistics on cancer incidence, mortality, and survival. The latest SEER monograph, published in April 1996, reports cancer statistics for a wide range of racial and ethnic minorities. 1974 CANCERLINE established. This national computerized service was developed by NCI and the National Library of Medicine for scientists to access the latest research findings from the current literature. 1975 The Cooperative Minority Biomedical Program established. Now called the Comprehensive Minority Biomedical Program, it provides funding for research training of students in historically black colleges and universities. 1976 Cancer Information Service (CIS) opened. CIS is a nationwide telephone information and education network. Today, CIS receives about 2,400 calls a day, or 600,000 every year, from cancer patients, their families, and the public, and brings NCI messages to underserved and minority communities through its outreach program. 1983 PDQ (Physician Data Query) went online. PDQ is a computer database that contains current cancer information statements (including disease descriptions and therapies), research studies with new drugs, and directories of physicians and organizations involved in cancer care. The database is updated regularly. 1983 Community Clinical Oncology Program launched. Community physicians collaborate with scientists conducting NCI-supported studies designed to answer specific questions about preventing or treating cancer. The program brings advances in treatment to patients in their own communities. 1991 American Stop Smoking Intervention Study for Cancer Prevention (ASSIST) Program launched. The world's largest demonstration project for tobacco control is a joint effort between NCI and the American Cancer Society. 1996 New initiatives. The 1996 bypass budget envisions expansion into four new areas of research: cancer genetics, preclinical models of cancer, detection technologies, and developmental diagnostics. Back to The 1971 National Cancer Act Investment in the Future