Molecular Oncology
Volume 3, Issue 3 , Pages 192-203, June 2009

Has the US Cancer Centre model been ‘successful’? Lessons for the European cancer community☆

  • Richard Sullivan

      Affiliations

    • Kings College London, Integrated Cancer Centre, Guy's Hospital, Bermondsey Wing, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
    • European Cancer Research Managers Foundation for the study of the social and political policy of cancer (Oncopolicy), UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationKings College London, Integrated Cancer Centre, Guy's Hospital, Bermondsey Wing, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK. Tel.: +44 7720398401.

Received 14 March 2009; accepted 18 March 2009. published online 06 April 2009.

Abstract 

The US model of Cancer Centres created by the National Cancer Act in 1971 has been one of the most tried and tested models of organised disease-specific scientific endeavors in the world. With many countries, particularly those in Europe now looking to develop the research arms of their National Cancer Control Programmes through the development of similar Cancer Centres the time is correct to consider the success and limitations of the US effort to date. Here we described the salient features of both US Cancer Centres and Networks, including their funding and evaluation with socio-political analysis on the learning points for Europe. In particular we highlight issues around sustainable funding, training and network development. New data highlighting deficiencies in the US model around prevention, health promotion, health inequalities in cancer outcomes, and clinical research provide key learning points and opportunities for the European model developed.

Keywords: Cancer, NCI, Evidence, Geography, Funding, Bibliometrics, Policy

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☆ This work was supported by European Cancer Research Managers Foundation. The MS Excel macros used to perform the geographical analysis of the papers were written by Dr Philip Roe. Prof Grant Lewison, Evalumetrics and University College London, UK provided the analysis for Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4. Part of this research was conducted whilst RS was at Cancer Research UK.

PII: S1574-7891(09)00047-7

doi:10.1016/j.molonc.2009.03.002

Refers to corrigendum:

  • Corrigendum to “Has the US Cancer Centre model been ‘successful’? Lessons for the European cancer community” [Mol. Oncol. 3 (2009) 192–203] , 08 June 2009

    Richard Sullivan
    Molecular Oncology December 2009 (Vol. 3, Issue 5, Page 483)

Molecular Oncology
Volume 3, Issue 3 , Pages 192-203, June 2009

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