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ACS awards more than $98M in research grants

​​The American Cancer Society, the largest non-government, nonprofit funding source of cancer research in the United States, has announced funding for $98 million in new Extramural Discovery Science (EDS) research grants. The awards will fund investigators at 106 institutions across the United States starting this month. 
 
This slate of new grants includes the previously announced recipients of the Yosemite-ACS Awards, the new Catalyst Awards, and all of the research grants awarded through our standard grant mechanisms including Postdoctoral Fellowships, Research Scholar Grants, Discovery Boost Grants, and more. A full list of all the new awards included in this grant slate can be found on cancer.org.  
 
Altogether, ACS invested more than $132 million in new cancer research in 2024. With an investment of more than five billion dollars since 1946, ACS has a legacy of supporting lifesaving cancer research, including supporting the work of 53 researchers who have gone on to win the Nobel Prize for their work.

  • ACS and ACS CAN commend U.S. Surgeon General’s efforts to reduce alcohol-related cancers

    On Friday, Jan. 3, the United States Surgeon General released a new advisory report, citing evidence that links alcohol consumption with an increased risk of cancer. ACS supports these efforts to drive awareness of the correlation between alcohol and cancer diagnosis and death. According to ACS research, consumption of alcohol has a clear association with cancer diagnosis and death, with 6% of all cancers and 4% of all cancer deaths in the United States attributed to alcohol consumption. In 2024 alone, it is predicted that alcohol use will have contributed to 120,000 new cancer diagnoses and more than 24,000 deaths.

    "Today’s advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General brings necessary awareness to the risks of alcohol consumption as it relates to cancer incidence,” said Dr. Bill Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society. “Alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer. It is imperative that people are made aware of the potential impact of alcohol consumption and are met with recommendations on how to reduce their risk.”

    Dr. Dahut was also quoted in multiple media outlets about the report, including:

    • NBC News: Surgeon general's suggestion to put a cancer warning on alcohol is long overdue, doctors say
    • The Washington Post: How much alcohol is safe to drink? 
    • MedPageToday: Surgeon General calls for stronger wording of cancer risk on alcohol packages 

    ​More information on ACS guidelines for alcohol use can be found on cancer.org.

  • Study finds early-onset colorectal cancer cases surge globally

    ​A new study led by ACS researchers shows that early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence rates are rising in 27 of 50 countries/territories worldwide, 20 of which have either exclusive or faster increases for early-onset disease. ​

    In 14 countries, including the United States, rates are increasing in young adults while stabilizing in those 50 years and older. The research is published in the journal The Lancet Oncology.

    “The increase in early-onset colorectal cancer is a global phenomenon,” said Dr. Hyuna Sung, senior principal scientist, cancer surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the study. ​

    “The global scope of this concerning trend highlights the need for innovative tools to prevent and control cancers linked to dietary habits, physical inactivity, and excess body weight. Ongoing efforts are essential to identify the additional factors behind these trends and to develop effective prevention strategies tailored to younger generations and local resources worldwide,” added Sung. “Raising awareness of the trend and the distinct symptoms of early-onset colorectal cancer (e.g., rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and unexplained weight loss) among young people and primary care providers can help reduce delays in diagnosis and decrease mortality.”

    Other ACS researchers contributing to the study include Rebecca Siegel, Chenxi Jiang, and senior author Dr. Ahmedin Jemal.

    Like and share the ACS post on X about this news.

  • Prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates rising in many low- and middle-income countries

    ​A new study led by ACS researchers shows prostate cancer incidence rates increased in 11 of 50 countries, mostly located in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Central and Eastern Europe. Also, prostate cancer mortality trends climbed in nine of the 59 countries examined. In contrast, prostate cancer mortality declined in most high-income countries. The findings are published in the journal European Urology.​

    Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer death among men worldwide, with over 1,460,000 estimated cases and 396,000 deaths. By 2040, the prostate cancer burden is predicted to increase to approximately 2.4 million cases and 712,000 deaths solely due to the aging and growth of the population.​

    “The decline in prostate cancer mortality in most high-income countries reflects advances in early detection and treatment,” said Elizabeth Schafer, associate scientist, surveillance and health equity science at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the study. “However, the availability of these advances is limited in many low- and middle-income countries, such as parts of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, which are experiencing increasing incidence and mortality rates.”

    Other ACS researchers contributing to the study include Dr. Hyuna Sung, Dr. William Dahut, and senior author Dr. Ahmedin Jemal.

    Like and share the ACS post on X about this news.

  • Former ACS grantees receive 2024 Nobel Prize honor

    ​​​​The Nobel Prize award ceremony recognizes the winners of the prestigious honor and pays tribute to Alfred Bernhard Nobel, a Swedish engineer, chemist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, who instituted the award. Three recipients of the 2024 Nobel Prize have received funding from ACS during their career. They are, pictured below, left to right, Dr. Victor Ambros, Dr. Gary Ruvkun, and Dr. David Baker. Additional information - plus a livestream of the Dec. 10 award ceremony - is available at https://www.nobelprize.org. 

    Since 1901, the Nobel Prizes have been presented to Nobel Prize laureates at ceremonies on Dec. 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. As stipulated in his will, the Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine and Literature are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden, while the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway. 

    The American Cancer Society is honored to have given funding to 53 investigators who went on to win the Nobel Prize, considered the highest accolade any scientist can receive. This is a tribute to the Society’s Research program and the strength of its peer-review process. You can learn more about our 53 Nobel Laureates here. 

  • ACS DICR Post-Baccalaureate Fellows attend inaugural annual meeting

    ​Center supports a diverse cancer workforce by providing training and mentorship.

    The ACS Center for Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR) Training held its inaugural Post-Baccalaureate Fellows annual meeting Sept. 11 - 12 in Atlanta, GA. The theme of the meeting was “Boldly Breaking Barriers: Achieving Success as a Cancer Researcher”. 

    The attendees at the annual meeting included post-baccalaureate fellows, principal investigators, and program managers from 18 institutions across the country.

    The meeting provided an opportunity for fellows to present their research and network with others. Fellows also participated in mock interviews and learned more about future career paths and professional development.

    Dr. Rob Winn, director of the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and member of the ACS Board of Directors, gave the keynote address during the opening plenary session. He expressed the need to be as precise in our language as we are in our medicine. “We can’t become so smart that we forget the language of the community,” he said. “People, especially people of color, aren’t joining clinical trials because we’re explaining it to them in language that prevents them from understanding the intended outcomes.”

    Large entities and organizations need to focus on building institutional trustworthiness as opposed to building trust just on the individual level. Communities of color need to know they can trust organizations and institutions, because once the “trusted person” is no longer there, where does that leave the institution?



  • ACS Center for DICR Training addresses diverse representation in STEM fields

    ​National STEM Day raises awareness of ACS work to engage underrepresented populations.

    National STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Day is observed this year on Friday, Nov. 8. The day promotes and celebrates STEM disciplines and encourages youth interest and engagement in STEM subjects. Historically, certain racial and ethnic groups, persons from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those living with disabilities are not as well-represented in the STEM fields. Diversity in science invigorates problem-solving, drives innovation, and accelerates our fight for a cure.

    In addition to being underrepresented in STEM fields, many of these groups are those that bear a disproportionate burden of cancer: Black people, Hispanic and Latino people, Indigenous people: Native Americans and Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. While biomedical scientist numbers in the U.S. have grown 150% since the 1990s, the percentage of Hispanic and Black scientists have seen minimal growth.

    To address these gaps and encourage diverse representation in STEM fields, ACS launched the Center for Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR) Training in 2023. The goal of the Center is to attract, support, and develop students from groups underrepresented in science, ensuring they are competitive for successful careers in clinical, scientific, and related health professions.

    Today we celebrate the three initial programs that support diversity in STEM.

    DICR Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology is a two-week virtual program that introduces high school students who identify as female to cancer research and careers in cancer research and oncology care. Participants learn about the scientific method, conduct a small research study and learn about careers across the cancer continuum of research, care, and community engagement. Small-group clinical case studies focused on cancer disparities highlight challenges across diverse communities. Mentorship and collaboration enable students to develop a broad, diverse professional network. ACS funds and supports the program while sites manage the program, curriculum, recruitment, and evaluation. Since inception, the SHE in Oncology program has engaged 655 students. In the summer of 2025, the SHE program will expand to five new institutions, bringing the total to 15 institutions aiming to engage up to 300 students per year. 

    DICR Internships

    Biomedical research internship for undergraduate students focused on hands-on experience and mentorship. DICR Internships begins with a 10-week program that places participating interns in cancer research labs, clinical, or community settings, at institutional partners across the US. Interns engage in hands-on experience, receiving mentorship from leadings scientists in the field, while experiencing the day-to-day world of cancer research. Interns will participate in career development and networking activities through the year. For 2025, a total of 33 institutions will aim to recruit and train up to 240 interns. Interns consist of underrepresented minorities who are rising full-time sophomores, juniors, and seniors with an interest in STEM and have good academic standing of at least a 3.0 overall GPA.

    Through the DICR Internship Program, ACS aims to provide access to unique and impactful opportunities that empower underrepresented students to pursue careers in STEM. 

    DICR Post-Baccalaureate Fellows Program

    Training and mentorship for pre-doctoral students aimed at improving readiness for graduate or professional school and training in cancer research. The Post-Baccalaureate Fellows Program consists of a two-year, paid certificate program focused on the challenges budding researchers face following undergraduate education and pursuit of graduate school training. This program will support pre-doctoral students as they prepare to pursue either a doctoral degree, e.g. PhD, MD, MD/PhD or other doctoral degrees across the varied fields of science and health professions. Students will receive mentorship, advanced science course work based on individual background and aspirations, and advisory services to support test prep and careers. In 2025, 27 institutions will engage 108 post-baccalaureate fellows, including 36 new fellows. This program will target students from groups underrepresented) in science including first generation college students, students from rural areas or those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, currently not in a degree program.

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  • New study finds social support linked with improved cancer screening

    A new study released on Oct. 17 shows social support measures were associated with improved cancer screening to varying degrees by site and age in the United States. The report found women who reported never or rarely receiving social-emotional support were nearly 40% less likely to be up to date with mammogram screening compared to those receiving it always. Also, living with a spouse or partner, but not children, was associated with increased participation in screening for breast and colorectal cancer. The findings are published today in the journal Cancer Causes & Control.

    “Social relationships can influence cancer screening in a variety of ways, like shaping access to emotional support and material resources. We were interested in looking at living arrangements and residential stability as structural sources of social support in the US," said Dr. Jordan Baeker Bispo, principal scientist, cancer disparity research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the study. “These findings highlight the need for interventions that can help mobilize social support networks and address the unmet social needs of parents and caregivers."

    Other ACS researchers contributing to the study include Dr. Hyunjung Lee, Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, and senior author Dr. Farhad Islami.

    Like and share the ACS post on X about this news.​


  • One-third of cancer-related crowdfunding campaigns share medical financial hardship

    ​In a new, large comprehensive analysis led by the American Cancer Society, researchers, using a form of Artificial Intelligence (AI), found that more than one-third of fundraising stories on the GoFundMe crowdfunding platform in the United States explicitly shared experiences of medical financial hardships and health-related social needs (HRSNs). In a new, large comprehensive analysis announced on Oct. 10, led by the American Cancer Society, researchers, using a form of Artificial Intelligence (AI), found that more than one-third of fundraising stories on the GoFundMe crowdfunding platform in the United States explicitly shared experiences of medical financial hardships and health-related social needs (HRSNs). The fundraising stories included hardships such as housing and food insecurities, transportation barriers, income loss, lack of sick leave, and disruptions to both work and school. The findings are published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Oncology.​​

    “Sadly, financial hardship is common among cancer survivors across the country, forcing a growing number of patients and their families to use personal crowdfunding as an alternative source to raise money,” said Dr. Zhiyuan “Jason” Zheng, senior principal scientist, health services research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the study. “These findings show the intense difficulties in meeting basic medical and social needs, underscoring the fragility of safety nets in the US.”

    “This research further highlights the drastic reality people, especially cancer patients and survivors, are increasingly facing when it comes to the high cost of health care. This reality is unacceptable,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “No one should have to choose between lifesaving treatment and a roof over their head. Lawmakers must take action. Elected officials can help reduce medical financial hardship by expanding Medicaid in the 10 states that have yet to do so, making permanent the ACA enhanced tax credits that make marketplace plans more affordable for more than 20 million people, and passing legislation to alleviate medical debt.

    “Investing in patient navigation services is critical to helping ensure a better treatment experience and better health outcomes including helping patients with social and emotional needs. “No one should have to take on cancer alone and having a patient navigator helps ensure no one has to by providing necessary support throughout a complex and confusing diagnosis.”

    Dr. Robin Yabroff is senior author of the study. Other ACS researchers contributing to the report include Dr. Shaojun Yu, Dr. Farhad Islami and Dr. Jingxuan Zhao.

    Like and share the ACS post on X about this news.

    Check out news coverage of this announcement in Cancer Health​​.​

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