One year National Decade Against Cancer
Press conference on the first anniversary of the Decade Against Cancer: Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek takes stock. On the right: Prof. Michael Baumann, DKFZ; Prof. Michael Hallek, CIO. ©BMBF / H.-J. Rickel
One year ago, the National Decade Against Cancer began its work. Time to take stock: 13 research projects, the expansion of the NCT, the first online dialog and the National Cancer Prevention Center were launched.
On February 4, 2019, World Cancer Day, the National Decade Against Cancer began its work. 2020 not only marks the 20th anniversary of World Cancer Day - the National Decade Against Cancer is also celebrating its first anniversary. For a year now, the strategy group, partners and working groups have been working to strengthen cancer research. We have achieved this:
- We are promoting practice-changing studies with patient participation.
Right at the beginning of the Decade Against Cancer, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) published a funding announcement for comparative and optimization studies with high potential for improving practice.
For the first time, patient representatives also sat on the international committee for the subsequent review. In addition, the planning and implementation of funded studies must also involve patients. The BMBF is providing up to 62 million euros for this funding.
- We are driving forward the expansion of the National Centers for Tumor Diseases (NCT).
To date, there are two NCT sites, in Heidelberg and Dresden, where the link between innovations in cancer research and patient care is particularly close. As part of the Decade, the BMBF has announced a funding guideline for the strategic concept development for the expansion of the NCT; the application deadline is February 27.
- We are involving citizens, patients, physicians and scientists.
Over 3,000 participants - interested parties, experts from research and care as well as those involved in the field of cancer - took advantage of the opportunity to discuss cancer, cancer research and the fields of action during the four-week online dialog under the motto "Everyone is an expert".
All contributions are currently being evaluated and then passed on to the Decade committees. These will receive valuable information and opinions on the topics of the alliance for their work. An evaluation of the results will also be published here on the website in the near future.
- The first National Cancer Prevention Center is established.
The Decade partners German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Aid are establishing a National Cancer Prevention Center in Heidelberg as part of the Decade. The DKFZ's extensive prevention research will be pooled here under one roof and an outpatient prevention clinic and a public information center will be established.
We will continue to pursue our goals intensively and with combined forces in the coming years of the Decade. To do this, we need supporters! All relevant stakeholders and social groups who are committed to the principles of the National Decade Against Cancer and can contribute to the success of this initiative are cordially invited to apply as supporters.