Applying for NFCR Research Funding

Cancer survival rates have significantly increased over the past three decades, mainly attributable to the development of more effective therapies and earlier diagnosis. This is the direct result of scientific breakthroughs derived from decades of innovative cancer research. As a leader in the cancer research community, NFCR has made essential contributions to the development of many of today’s most innovative and effective cancer therapies. In laboratories across the United States, Europe and Asia, NFCR scientists and their research groups are at the cutting-edge of cancer research today. What NFCR scientists have accomplished in cancer research is constantly being translated into improved prevention strategies, better detection methods, and more effective cancer therapies. From basic laboratory research to clinical application, research breakthroughs achieved by hundreds of dedicated NFCR scientists are making a difference in the lives of millions of cancer patients and their families today. Below is a list of select research breakthroughs made by NFCR-supported scientists since 1973.

What Is Cancer?

Newly Diagnosed
A new diagnosis of cancer can be a shock, making you feel out of control and overwhelmed. Getting informed can help alleviate these feelings. Remember, very few cancers require emergency treatment; you have time to learn about your diagnosis and treatment options, ask questions, and get a second opinion. This section is designed to help you address your initial questions before you move forward with your treatment.

What is Cancer?
Cancer is not one disease, but many diseases that occur in different areas of the body. Each type of cancer is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells. Under normal conditions, cell reproduction is carefully controlled by the body. However, these controls can malfunction, resulting in abnormal cell growth and the development of a lump, mass, or tumor. Some cancers involving the blood and blood-forming organs do not form tumors but circulate through other tissues where they grow.

A tumor may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Cells from cancerous tumors can spread throughout the body. This process, called metastasis, occurs when cancer cells break away from the original tumor and travel in the circulatory or lymphatic systems until they are lodged in a small capillary network in another area of the body. Common locations of metastasis are the bones, lungs, liver, and central nervous system.

The type of cancer refers to the organ or area of the body where the cancer first occurred. Cancer that has metastasized to other areas of the body is named for the part of the body where it originated. For example, if breast cancer has spread to the bones, it is called "metastatic breast cancer" not bone cancer.

How did I get cancer?
Although every patient and family member wants to know the answer to this question, the reason people develop cancer is not well understood. There are some known carcinogens (materials that can cause cancer), but many are still undiscovered. We do not know why some people who are exposed to carcinogens get cancer and others do not. The length and amount of exposure are believed to affect the chances of developing a disease. For example, as exposure to cigarette smoking increases, the chance of developing lung cancer also increases. Genetics also plays an important role in whether an individual develops cancer. For example, certain types of breast cancer have a genetic component.

What’s next?
Following your diagnosis of cancer, your reaction may be one of shock and disbelief. If you have been told that chemotherapy or radiation therapy are an important part of your treatment, many unpleasant images may come to mind. But as you move beyond that initial shock to begin the journey of surviving your cancer, you have many good reasons to be optimistic. Medicine has made—and continues to make—great strides in treating cancer and in making cancer treatment more tolerable, both physically and emotionally.

No one would call cancer a normal experience, but by proactively managing aspects of your treatment, you can maintain a sense of normalcy in your life. Fighting cancer is not a challenge you face alone. It's a team effort that involves family, friends, and your healthcare team. Don't overlook the strength that can come from having your support network by your side.

Diagnosing Cancer

What is a cancer stage?

Following a diagnosis of cancer, the most important step is to accurately determine the stage of cancer. Stage describes how far the cancer has spread. (Some cancers, such as leukemia, may not be staged.) Each stage of cancer may be treated differently. In order for you to begin evaluating and discussing treatment options with your healthcare team, you need to know the correct stage of your cancer.

There are many staging systems, but TNM is the most common. “T” refers to the size of the tumor, “N” to the number of lymph nodes involved, and “M” to metastasis. TNM staging measures the extent of the disease by evaluating these three aspects and assigning a stage, which is usually between 0-4. Generally, the lower the stage, the better the treatment prognosis (outcome).

• Stage 0 – precancer
• Stage 1 – small cancer found only in the organ where it started
• Stage 2 – larger cancer that may or may not have spread to the lymph nodes
• Stage 3 – larger cancer that is also in the lymph nodes
• Stage 4 – cancer in a different organ from where it started

How is prognosis determined?
The probable course and/or outcome of the cancer is called the prognosis. Identifying factors that indicate a better or worse prognosis may help you and your doctor plan your treatment. There are many factors that help determine your prognosis. Some of these include:

• Your age
• Your level of physical fitness
• Size of your cancer
• Stage of your cancer
• Aggressiveness of your cancer (cancer cells that are growing and dividing rapidly are considered more aggressive)

Your doctor will evaluate all possible factors to determine your prognosis.

Recently, the genetic make-up of cancer is being increasingly recognized as an important prognostic factor. For example, some genes have been associated with an aggressive course or tendency to recur. Identification of these in an early stage cancer may indicate a poor prognosis. Some research suggests that the genetic make-up of the cancer may be even more important for determining prognosis than the stage of the cancer.

How is cancer diagnosed?
Diagnosing cancer involves the use of a variety of tests that provide details about abnormal cells, which may have been detected through routine medical examinations, self-examination, or reported symptoms. More information about these cells must be gathered in order to identify them as malignant (cancerous) or non-malignant (non-cancerous), and if they are malignant, to determine how serious (aggressive) the particular cancer cells are. Aggressive cancers grow and spread more quickly than less-aggressive or “indolent” cancers. There are many types of tests specifically designed to evaluate cancer:

• A pathology report is based on observation of abnormal cells under a microscope.
• Diagnostic imaging involves visualization of abnormal masses using high tech machines that create images, such as x-rays, computed tomography (CT), positron emission test (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and combined PET/CT.
• Blood tests measure substances in the blood that may indicate how advanced the cancer is or other problems related to the cancer.
• Tumor marker tests detect substances in blood, urine, or other tissues that occur in higher than normal levels with certain cancers.
• Special laboratory evaluation of DNA involves the identification of the genetic make-up—the DNA—of the abnormal cells.

For more information about diagnostic tests, visit the Testing Center.