New University of California Cancer Consortium to tackle state ’s second leading cause of death

The University of California ’s five academic cancer centers, home to some of the world’s leading scientists and physicians, have formed a consortium to better address California’s most pressing cancer-related problems and opportunities, UC President Janet Napolitano and Dr. John Stobo, executive vice president of UC Heal th, announced today.Despite steady declines in cancer rates over the past 20 years, cancer is soon expected to overtake heart disease as California ’s leading cause of death. This year alone, 176,000 state residents will be diagnosed with cancer and nearly 60,000 will die from it. The estimated cost burden of cancer in California is $14 billion annually.Each of the UC centers holds the highest designation possible from the National Institutes of Health ’s National Cancer Institute, and the alliance reflects a new model for cancer research and treatment that calls for the best minds to work together, regardless of where they are, to tackle cancer’s many problems.Among the projects the consortium will undertake are precision medicine, clinical trials, population health science, best practices in harnessing big data to improve health, and political engagement for public benefit.  “The University of California — and the people of California — are privileged to have at UC physicians and scientists who are among the very best at what they do: care for patients and conduct research that leads to discovery and new knowledge that benefits us all,â€...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news