Breaking News

WNBA Finals to highlight VOICES of Black Women

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the American Cancer Society is partnering with subscription streaming service YouTube TV during the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Finals starting Thursday, Oct. 10, to share information about ACS’s VOICES of Black Women study. Last year, the WNBA Finals had record-breaking viewership. This year, there is an explosion of interest in the WNBA and viewership is expected to be even higher.

Broadcast and live reads promoting enrollment in VOICES will run in games one, two, and three on YouTube TV. In addition, YouTube TV is donating $20,000 to ACS to be used for VOICES.

Broadcast and live reads will share, "YouTube TV has teamed up with the WNBA to support the American Cancer Society’s VOICES of Black Women movement. Join us in adding your voice to help save lives for generations to come. Enroll today at voices.cancer.org."

The partnership also includes social media posts on NBA Cares and WNBA social channels.

Two ACS-funded researchers earn the Nobel Prize

Joint winners of Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine bring total ACS-funded winners to 52.
The joint winners of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, announced on Oct. 7, were both funded by the American Cancer Society early in their careers. Dr. Victor Ambrose and Dr. Gary Ruvkun bring the total to 52 investigators who were funded by ACS and went on to win the Nobel Prize, considered the highest accolade any scientist can receive.
The winners were awarded the honor for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Dr. Ambros received several grants from ACS between 1980-1990. Dr. Ruvkun received one grant from ACS from 1991-1995. Both researchers have also served as mentors on awarded grants from ACS.
“The discovery of microRNA has led to a greater understanding of the impact gene regulation can have on diseases such as cancer. Dr. Ambros’ and Dr. Ruvkun’s work has proven to be essential to our understanding of how organisms develop and function and will continue to play a pivotal role in future cancer research and treatment methods,” said Karen Knudsen, MBA, PhD, CEO of the American Cancer Society. “ACS prides itself on identifying and funding talented investigators and we are so proud to have supported this important work.”
Their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA revealed a completely new principle of gene regulation that turned out to be essential for multicellular organisms, including humans. It is now known that the human genome codes for over one thousand microRNAs. Their surprising discovery revealed an entirely new dimension to gene regulation. MicroRNAs are proving to be fundamentally important for how organisms develop and function.
Dr. Ambros is now Silverman Professor of Natural Science at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA. Dr. Ruvkun became a Principal Investigator at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in 1985, where he is now Professor of Genetics.
The Nobel Prize, awarded in memory of Alfred Nobel since 1901, celebrates achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, peace, and economic sciences. An awards ceremony will be held in December for the honorees. Learn more about past ACS-funded recipients on cancer.org.
Click on the illustration above to like and share the news on X.
Oct 07, 2024
- Research
ACS releases Breast Cancer Statistics 2024
Report finds breast cancer mortality rates continue three-decade decline.
The American Cancer Society has released Breast Cancer Statistics, 2024, the organization’s biennial update on breast cancer occurrence trends in the US, announcing the news in press releases available in English and Spanish. The new report finds breast cancer mortality rates overall have dropped by 44% since 1989, averting approximately 517,900 breast cancer deaths. However, not all women have benefited from this progress, notably American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) women, whose rates have remained unchanged over the past three decades. Also concerning is the continued upward trend in breast cancer incidence, rising by 1% annually during 2012-2021, with the steepest increase in women younger than 50 years (1.4% per year) and Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) women of any age (2.5%-2.7% per year). These important findings were published Oct. 1 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, alongside its consumer-friendly companion, Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2024, available on cancer.org.
To help amplify, team members are encouraged to share the social media post from ACS channels with the suggested copy or craft your own message relating back to our work on the importance of screening and breast cancer research.
Suggested Post Copy:
More than 310,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone.
I'm proud to be part of the team working to provide and expand access to resources, fund lifesaving research, and above all – end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone.
View the full Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2024 report at cancer.org/breast-cff-2024

Other key findings from the report include:
- AIAN women have 10% lower breast cancer incidence than White women, but 6% higher mortality, and only 51% of AIAN women 40 years or older had a mammogram in the past two years compared to 68% of White women.
- Breast cancer in women under 50 years has increased in AAPI women by 50% since 2000, surpassing the rate in young Hispanic, AIAN, and Black women to become the highest rate alongside White women (both 86 per 100,000).
- Black women continue to have a 38% higher breast cancer mortality rate than White women, despite a 5% lower incidence. Black women also have lower survival than White women for every breast cancer subtype and stage of diagnosis except localized disease, with which they are 10% less likely to be diagnosed (58% versus 68%).
Rebecca Siegel is senior author of the report. Other ACS authors participating in the study include Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, Dr. Hyuna Sung, Jessica Star and Dr. Robert Smith.
More information on breast cancer can be found on cancer.org .
Oct 01, 2024
- Research

ACS experts present key research at ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Studies complement meeting’s theme of 'Driving Solutions, Implementing Change.”'
Scientists from the American Cancer Society are presenting research studies at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Quality Care Symposium (QCS) Sept. 27 - 28 in San Francisco, CA. ASCO QCS offers research and education that encompasses the needs and viewpoints of multiple disciplines and various practice settings, attracting oncology professionals from around the world.
This year’s program featured studies complementing the meeting’s theme: “Driving Solutions, Implementing Change.” You can find the 12 ACS-related studies, both oral and poster presentations, outlined on the ACS Press Room website.
Follow ACS researchers at the meeting on X (formerly Twitter) at @AmericanCancer @ACS_Research @ACSNews.
Sep 26, 2024
- Research
ACS announces $8M Catalyst awards
Grants to help fund high scoring, but currently unfunded, early-stage researchers.
The American Cancer Society has introduced the Catalyst Awards, offering up to $8 million in funding to early-stage investigators and Postdoctoral Fellows in the United States. These awards aim to "catalyze" high scoring, but currently unfunded, research projects previously submitted to ACS or the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Each award provides $150,000 in direct costs for one year, helping researchers continue their work and reapply for grants.
“We are so proud to announce the Catalyst awards and Post Doctoral Fellowship grants. The American Cancer Society has a longstanding commitment to fund impactful cancer research and invest in scientists, often early on in their careers,” said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer. “We recognize that there has been a decrease in available funding for cancer research, resulting in a surplus of innovative and potentially impactful research projects that have gone unfunded, so we’re excited to be able to support these important investigations.”
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for a Catalyst award, the applicant must clearly articulate and justify the need for the grant. ACS encourages applications in all areas of cancer research; special consideration will be given to those addressing ACS priorities of:
- Prevention, screening, early detection, and cancer recurrence
- Health care implementation, the uptake of evidence-based cancer care, and survivorship
- Improving mortality from prostate cancer
- Improving equitable access to care and reducing cancer disparities
- Bench to bedside translation
To be eligible for a Catalyst award, the principal investigator must have a doctoral degree, work at an academic institution in the US or eligible non-profit and have an independent faculty appointment (or equivalent position).
All application materials, including full criteria, can be found on ProposalCentral and eligible applicants will be given access to the materials by ACS. The application deadline is Sept. 9, 2024.
Post Doctoral Fellowship awards will be selected from the pool of applicants who submitted to ACS for grants in the fall of 2023 or spring of 2024.
All grants will be handed out no later than January 1, 2025.
Like and share the news on X.
Aug 20, 2024
- Research

ACS connects with health professionals at convention
Team members share VOICES and other priorities at National Medical Association annual meeting.
Several team members represented ACS at the National Medical Association Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly in New York City, NY, from Aug. 3 – 7. The annual convention is acclaimed as the nation’s foremost forum on medical science and African American health. Each year, African American physicians and other health professionals from across the country convene to participate in the scholarly exchange of medical advances, discuss health policy priorities, and to share experiences through networking opportunities. Through NMA’s 26 Scientific Specialty Sections, the Convention attracts the broadest spectrum of African American physicians, academicians and scientists in the country.
The convention explored three core pillars essential to transforming healthcare:
1. Black Women’s Health Agenda: This pillar is about actionable change, ensuring that Black women’s health is prioritized, protected, and promoted at all levels of healthcare delivery and policymaking.
2. Digital Innovation: Advancing health equity through digital health solutions, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and transparency to ensure technology benefits all, particularly in reducing health disparities.
3. Healthcare Workforce: Supporting our healthcare professionals through initiatives on physician viability, addressing racism within the profession, and fostering a supportive environment for Black physicians and residents to preserve and increase a diverse workforce.
ACS presented information about ACS Discovery work including Extramural Discovery Science (EDS,) VOICES, cancer facts and figures reports, and the Center for Diversity in Cancer Research Training at a booth that was supported in part by team members from the Northeast Region. The following team members represented ACS at the convention: Tawana Thomas-Johnson, senior vice president, chief diversity officer, Kerri Gober, associate chief of staff, Discovery, Dr. Ellie Daniels, senior vice president, Center for Diversity Research Training, and Dr. Christina Annunziata, senior vice president, extramural discovery officer.
Our team was excited to connect with our Principal Investigator Dr. Faye Rodgers, Yale School of Medicine, and leader and mentor in our Post-Baccalaureate (PB) Fellows Program, as well as Sharon Branch, ACS volunteer and mother of NFL Crucial Catch Ambassador Brian Branch.
A special thank you to the following team members from the Northeast Region for assisting with the ACS booth and connecting with other organizations: Associate Directors, Cancer Center Partnerships, Michele DeDea, Ana Paisley, Barbara Messeder, and Maureen Kuhn.
The National Medical Association (NMA) is a long-standing partner and a member of the African American Stakeholder Advisory group led by the DEI team.
Aug 12, 2024
- Research
New study on increased cancer risk in Gen X, Millennials receives top media attention

A new study from ACS reveals that Generation X and Millennials in the U.S. have a higher risk of developing 17 types of cancer compared to older generations. This study, published in The Lancet Public Health, highlights the increasing cancer burden in younger populations and underscores the need for effective interventions and improved access to healthcare.
The report garnered news coverage from various media outlets, including GMA and CNN.
GMA: 17 cancers on the rise in Gen X, millennials
CNN: Millennials and Gen Xers face higher risk of 17 cancers than previous generations, study suggests
Forbes: Cancer Rates Increased Among Millennials And Gen X, Study Suggests—Here’s Why
Yahoo!Life: Cancer rates in millennials, Gen X-ers have risen starkly in recent years, study finds. Experts have 1 prime suspect
NY Post: Gen X, millennials at higher risk for 17 cancers: ‘critical’ report
The Washington Post: Gen X and millennials at higher cancer risk than older generations
NBC News: Gen x, millennials face higher risk of 17 cancers than older generations
ABC News: Incidence of 17 cancers on the rise in younger generations, major new study says
TODAY: Millennials are up to 3 times more likely to develop some types of cancer than boomers, study finds
USA Today: Gen X, Millennials are at greater risk for these types of cancer
The Hill: Gen X, Millennials face higher risk of cancer than previous generations, study shows
AXIOS: Gen X, Millennials more likely to get cancer, new study shows
WTOP-FM: Millennials and Gen Xers face higher risk of 17 cancers than previous generations, study suggests
Healio: Younger generations at increased risk for several cancer types

Researchers found that incidence rates for 17 out of 34 cancer types, including breast, pancreatic, and gastric cancers, continue to rise in successively younger generations. Mortality rates have also increased for certain cancers, such as liver (in females), uterine corpus, gallbladder, testicular, and colorectal cancers.
The analysis included data from over 23 million cancer diagnoses and more than 7 million cancer deaths between 2000 and 2019. By comparing birth cohort-specific incidence and mortality rates, researchers noted significant increases in cancer rates among those born since 1920, with individuals born in 1990 facing two to three times higher risks for some cancers than those born in 1955.
“These findings add to growing evidence of increased cancer risk in post-Baby Boomer generations, expanding on previous findings of early-onset colorectal cancer and a few obesity-associated cancers to encompass a broader range of cancer types,” said Dr. Hyuna Sung, lead author of the study and senior principal scientist of surveillance and health equity science at ACS. “Birth cohorts, groups of people classified by their birth year, share unique social, economic, political, and climate environments, which affect their exposure to cancer risk factors during their crucial developmental years. Although we have identified cancer trends associated with birth years, we don’t yet have a clear explanation for why these rates are rising.”
Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice president of surveillance and health equity science and senior author of the study, warned that without effective population-level interventions, the elevated cancer risk in younger generations could lead to a future increase in overall cancer burden, potentially reversing decades of progress.
Lisa Lacasse, president ACS CAN, highlighted the critical role of accessible, affordable health insurance in improving cancer outcomes. ACS CAN will continue advocating for Medicaid expansion and permanent Affordable Care Act tax subsidies to ensure broader access to care.
Other ACS researchers participating in the study include: Chenxi Jiang, associate scientist II, surveillance research, Dr. Priti Bandi, scientific director risk factors and screening research, Dr. Farhad Islami, senior scientific director, cancer disparity research and Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director, surveillance research.
Aug 02, 2024
- Research

Research released on health insurance literacy among patients receiving outpatient cancer treatment

ACS researchers stress initiatives to expand access to healthcare and screening facilities to improve early detection and treatment for lung cancer.
Dr. Jingxuan Zhao led a study published July 17 in the journal Cancer that examines patients’ understanding of health insurance terms and concepts and quantifies health insurance literacy (HIL) levels by key sociodemographic factors.
Nearly three-quarters of patients had high HIL self-efficacy and high HIL knowledge (70.5%), understanding basic insurance terms, such as premiums and deductibles. Relatively low percentages of patients correctly answered questions about the meaning of provider networks, health insurance formularies, and calculating out-of-pocket spending in scenarios when insurers pay a portion of allowed charges.
In conclusion, efforts to improve HIL and navigation of health insurance plan features are required, especially for socioeconomically vulnerable patients.
ACS authors included K. Robin Yabroff PhD, MBA .
Like and share the news on X.
Jul 25, 2024
- Research
American Cancer Society, Trial Library, and Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Consortium collaborate to support recruitment of Black patients for clinical trials

New study shows this may hinder identifying patient financial needs and tracking outcomes of associated referrals.
Despite declines in overall cancer mortality in the United States, deaths from prostate cancer in Black men represent the greatest mortality disparity in oncology. Black men are two to four times more likely to die from prostate cancer than any other racial and ethnic group. Additionally, less than 5% of participants in oncology clinical trials are Black men. Clinical trials provide an avenue for patients to contribute to research findings for future generations and may offer access to cutting-edge therapies.
ACS is committed to enhancing racial diversity in clinical trials. To increase Black men with prostate cancer participation in clinical trials, ACS on July 9 announced a funding opportunity to support community oncology practices and hospitals in their efforts for clinical trial enrollment. Eligible practice-based applicants must have direct patient interaction and the capability to participate in clinical trials.
“Diversifying participation in clinical trials is crucial to decreasing prostate cancer deaths for everyone,” said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer. “It's time to move beyond words and put into action a plan to help clinicians and patients. ACS is committed to supporting research and evidence-based care to improve the health of all communities.”
To better support efforts toward recruitment of patients to clinical trials, ACS will pair awarded community oncology and urology practices with the Trial Library platform, which provides patient identification and navigation support through software and technology-enabled services integrated in community practices. To build upon existing infrastructure and promote the sustainability of clinical trial enrollment efforts, ACS will support access to the PCCTC to help awarded teams enroll patients on hypothesis-driven trials of novel agents and combinations that could prolong the lives of patients with prostate cancer. “
Like and share the ACS LinkedIn post and Dr. Dahut's post on X about this news.
Jul 25, 2024
- Research

Research

News & Views