Cancer Detection and Treatment

Abstract

In the last 20 years there has been a worldwide explosion in legislation aimed toward establishing and expanding a coordinated and intensive approach to the cancer problem. In the United States, the National Cancer Act of 1971 was instrumental in dramatically increasing funds for the National Cancer Institute (up to $1 billion in 1980) and for the creation of regional comprehensive cancer centers (now about 20) that coordinate interdisciplinary efforts in research, teaching, and patient care. This increased not only the number of scientists focusing on cancer, but also the number of physician cancer specialists (i.e., oncologists) from less than 100 in the late 1960s to more than 2800 in 1980.