Policy and Advocacy

The AACR Office of Science Policy and Government Affairs serves as a powerful voice for the cancer research community, advocating for sustained federal investment in innovative cancer science. The office also serves as an authoritative source of information for policy makers and regulators, demonstrating the critical value of cancer research and supporting evidence-based policies that advance public health.

Science Policy and Government Affairs Committee: George D. Demetri, MD, FAACR, Chair

The AACR Science Policy and Government Affairs Committee identifies public issues of concern to the cancer research community and focuses on mechanisms for expediting cancer research. Its members engage with legislators and government agencies to educate them about these issues and to advocate for increased funding for cancer research.

• Early-Career Hill Day. In February 2021, the AACR held its sixth annual Early-Career Hill Day. The AACR Associate Member Council convened 28 early-career scientist members from 17 states to engage with lawmakers via videoconference. While the participants educated legislators about the critical value of robust, sustained, and predictable funding for biomedical research, they also learned a valuable lesson about the importance of personal advocacy in advancing cancer science.

• Recognition of National Cancer Research Month. The month of May was first designated by Congress as National Cancer Research Month (NCRM) in 2007 to acknowledge the 100th anniversary of the AACR’s founding. In 2021, President Biden sent a letter to the AACR recognizing NCRM and affirming his administration’s commitment to ending cancer as we know it. In addition, the U.S. Senate, led by Senators Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), passed a resolution affirming NCRM.

• Advocacy from AACR Leadership. In May, AACR President (2021–2022) David A. Tuveson, MD, PhD, FAACR, testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education to call for increased funding for the NIH and NCI in order to increase NCI’s success rate and payline. He outlined the challenges facing the cancer research community and emphasized how robust federal funding for basic, translational, and clinical research can drive progress against cancer. In July, Dr. Tuveson and the AACR Board of Directors followed up by sending a letter to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health & Human Services reiterating the vital importance of increasing the NCI payline for investigator-initiated research project grants.

• AACR/AACI Joint Hill Day. In June, the AACR and the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) assembled nearly 100 patient advocates, researchers, physicians, and cancer center leaders from 25 states to participate in virtual meetings with legislators to advocate for federal funding for cancer research. AACR President David A. Tuveson, MD, PhD, FAACR, and AACI President Caryn Lerman, PhD, led the virtual program, which featured remarks from U.S. Representatives Brian Higgins (D-NY) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).

Regulatory Science and Policy Subcommittee: Kenneth C. Anderson, MD, FAACR, Chair

The AACR Regulatory Science and Policy Subcommittee develops and implements programs and policy initiatives to improve the development, evaluation, and regulation of cancer drugs, biologics, and devices.

• AACR Annual Meeting: Regulatory Science and Policy Track. Week 2 of the virtual AACR Annual Meeting in May included a robust slate of sessions on key topics in regulatory science and policy, including a review of efforts by the FDA Oncology Center of Excellence to better reach underserved populations and build a more inclusive cancer community; a discussion of how lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic can be applied to streamline cancer clinical trials; an evaluation of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a prognostic biomarker of minimal residual disease (MRD) for solid tumors; and a review of racial and ethnic diversity in clinical trials evaluating hematologic malignancies.

• Increasing Diversity in Clinical Trials. In June, U.S. Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA), chair of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, proposed draft legislation that would require clinical trial diversity and equity and increase the capacity of community health centers to enroll underserved populations in clinical trials. On behalf of the AACR, Dr. Anderson submitted comments on the Diverse and Equitable Participation in Clinical Trials (DEPICT) Act.

Tobacco Products and Cancer Subcommittee: Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, Chair

The AACR Tobacco Products and Cancer Subcommittee fosters scientific and policy initiatives to reduce the incidence of disease and mortality due to tobacco use.

• AACR/ASCO ENDS Statement. In 2015, the AACR partnered with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) to publish a landmark joint policy statement on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS). The statement noted that while some believe ENDS may be less harmful than combustible tobacco, they may still be harmful, particularly to youth, and increase the likelihood that nonsmokers or former smokers will use combustible tobacco products. The statement recommended additional research on devices such as e-cigarettes; regulation of ENDS at federal, state, and local levels; requirements that manufacturers register their products with the FDA; and prohibitions on marketing and sales directed at youths. In 2021, the subcommittee began working on an updated policy statement on this critical public health issue. Publication of the updated statement is expected in the first quarter of 2022.

Health Policy Subcommittee: Gilbert S. Omenn, MD, PhD, Chair

The AACR Health Policy Subcommittee advances policies and educational initiatives that foster the closer integration of clinical practice and cancer research.

• Addressing the COVID-19 Crisis. During the virtual AACR Annual Meeting in April, AACR Health Policy Subcommittee Chair Gilbert S. Omenn, MD, PhD, joined 2020-2021 AACR President Antoni Ribas, MD, PhD, FAACR, to moderate a panel discussion on “Building Vaccine Confidence: Best Practices to Combat Misinformation and Vaccine Hesitancy in COVID-19 Vaccines.” During the panel, researchers, community leaders, patient advocates, and other experts discussed ways to increase uptake of vaccinations and eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel addressed the scientific evidence that demonstrates the safety and benefit of the COVID-19 vaccines; outlined strategies that are being used to overcome misinformation and build trust in the vaccines; and answered questions that patients with cancer have about the vaccines.

Through its Survivor and Patient Advocacy initiatives, the AACR fosters patient engagement in the research enterprise by building relationships between patient advocates and the scientific community.

• Scientist↔Survivor Program®. The AACR Scientist↔︎Survivor Program (SSP) builds enduring partnerships among leaders of the scientific, survivor, and patient advocacy communities. The AACR offered a robust slate of virtual sessions for SSP participants during the virtual AACR Annual Meeting and the virtual AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved. Topics included clinical trial development, cancer genomics, digital pathology, tumor microenvironment, and cancer survivorship.

Cancer Today Magazine

Cancer Today is the AACR’s award-winning magazine and website for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers, which celebrated its tenth year of publication in 2021. For the past decade, the magazine has provided a vital resource for those navigating a cancer diagnosis, treatment, or survival. Among the most read stories published in 2021 were the following:

• “Low Budget Eats.” For cancer survivors and patients looking to adopt a healthier diet, eating well doesn’t have to break the bank. Planning ahead can yield a balanced diet at a reasonable price.

• “Concerns Raised About MRI Contrast Dye.” Some patients have reported serious side effects attributed to contrast dye administered intravenously to improve MRI image quality and accuracy of diagnosis.

• “Going Flat.” Most people who opt out of breast reconstruction after surgical removal of one or both breasts are satisfied with their decision, but they are not always supported by their surgeons.

• “Living Beyond a Diagnosis.” Breast cancer survivor Judy Pearson writes about life after her cancer diagnosis and treatment. She discovered the hard way that cancer survivorship brings its own set of issues.

• “Cancer and COVID-19 Vaccination.” Amid ongoing research showing the impact of COVID-19 on people with cancer, patients asked when they should get vaccinated to protect themselves against the virus.

• “New Therapies for Metastatic Lung Cancer.” Several new targeted therapies were approved by the FDA in 2020 to treat metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lung cancer mortality is declining, although most people still die from their disease.

• “Categorizing Skin Cancer.” Knowledge about the most common types of skin cancer—melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma—can help people remain vigilant.

The AACR Distinguished Public Service Award honors the extraordinary contributions of an individual or group whose groundbreaking, innovative work exemplifies the organization’s mission. The AACR honored three individuals in 2021 for their outstanding efforts to advance cancer science for the benefit of patients.