The National Cancer Institute (NCI), An Institute Dedicated to Discovery

The NCI is the core of this Nation's response to cancer. Science is the way we understand the natural world, and the NCI is an institution of science dedicated to discovery about all aspects of cancer. Its work is based on the premise that we must know what causes cancer in order to prevent it, and we must know the nature of cancer in order to accurately detect, diagnose, and treat it.

Research is the process by which questions about cancer are addressed. These key questions include:

* Nature of Cancer: What is cancer and how does it develop?

* Cancer Risk: Who is at risk for which cancers and why?

* Prevention: How can cancer be prevented?

* Detection: How do we screen for, detect, and diagnose cancer?

* Treatment: How do we best treat cancer?

* Rehabilitation: How do we improve quality of life for cancer patients and survivors?

While we have made progress in answering these questions, the burden of cancer continues and so too does the NCI's dedication to discovery.

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