Nixon's War on Cancer

During the early 1970's cancer was the second leading cause of death in the U.S. and in 1971 President Nixon took a stand against cancer with it becoming one of his top priorities during his presidency. In December 1971 the National Cancer Act was signed into law and acts as a top resource for the country to fight cancer. During the time the act was signed into law a group of researchers and scientists were appointed to be advocates for research planning and future programs.

The National Cancer Act helps to promote an effective national effort toward fighting cancer. After the act was signed into law preparations were underway to do more focused research on cancer including choosing designated areas to become research facilities and setting aside funding to carry out programs. President Nixon felt the National Cancer Act was a significant action taken by his administration with the hopes of those in the future continuing the fight against cancer.

The act also enabled additional funding and increased efforts by other organizations that were already in progress of researching and providing programs for cancer. The National Cancer Act provided many opportunities and enriched others at the time it was signed. Besides creating new research centers the act also brought along new training opportunities and allows cancer issues to be thoroughly examined.

With research being needed research centers were awarded contracts and collaborations were brought upon federal, state, and local agencies to develop partnerships. This helped develop relations with private industries needed for drug screenings. The National Cancer Act inspired activities that help control cancer including early detection, dieting choices, and antismoking. The act also allowed for international research including collecting data from outside sources with research done in many countries outside the U.S.

The National Cancer Act has seen changes and revisions over the years but the focus and the main intention of the act has remained the same. Over the years there has been research and treatments that has changed the way cancer is being viewed. Since 1971 cancer has gotten more complex with more than 100 different types and the act has helped highlight the needs and importance of doing ongoing research for cancer treatments. The act helped give basic programs the support it needed in 1971 and today you can see a big difference by seeing how far we have come in the war on cancer.

Today there are various research programs not just in the United States but also around the world. The changes, adjustments, and advancements of the act has help save lives and give people a better understanding of what cancer does. We know our options as far as treating cancer while looking into new options that can someday provide a cure. The National Cancer Act has helped the country reach many milestones and even though the death rate has decrease for different types of cancer we continue to fight the battle for a better future.