National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Cancer Centers are recognized for their scientific excellence and extensive resources focused on cancer and cancer-related problems. The University of Arizona is one of only 61 centers of this distinction in the county

The Cancer Centers are a major source of discovery of the nature of cancer and of the development of more effective approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and therapy. They also deliver medical advances to patients and their families, educate health-care professionals and the public, and reach out to underserved populations.

What does this recognition as an NCI Designated Cancer Center mean for all of us?

It means that scientists, physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals working in the Univeristy of Arizona will communicate regularly with experts at other NCI Designated Cancer Centers to discuss new advances in cancer care. It means our Cancer Center will receive additional financial support for cutting-edge research, which, when combined with support from private donations and other grants, will help draw the world's best cancer researchers and physicians to our Center. It means the Cancer Center is better able to train the next generation of cancer physicians and scientists who will join us in the fight against cancer. All these benefits mean even more excellence in the care of our patients, and in our cancer prevention efforts across the state.

For more information on NCI-designated Cancer Centers, go to the Cancer Centers Program on the Internet at: http://cancercenters.cancer.gov.