DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED MEDICAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS
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Peer Reviewed Cancer

Vision – To advance mission readiness of U.S. military members affected by cancer.

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Since Fiscal Year 2009, the Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) has funded innovative basic, applied, translational, and clinical cancer research to support Service members, their families, and the American public. Members of the military are exposed to hazardous environments due to the nature of their service and deployments and, thus, are at risk for developing many types of cancers. The mission of the PRCRP is to successfully promote high-impact research for cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship. To accomplish this, the PRCRP invests in the full spectrum of cancer research from discovery to clinical application, focusing on funding gaps in the research landscape. Additionally, the PRCRP addresses growing and developing future research capacity through targeted funding opportunities for early career investigators.


Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program Overarching Challenges

The PRCRP developed a strategy to address multiple issues in cancer research over the spectrum of different cancer topics directed by Congress. The PRCRP prioritizes the following Overarching Challenges which are critical gaps in cancer research, care, and patient outcomes. Addressing these Overarching Challenges will advance mission readiness of U.S. military members affected by cancer and improve quality of life by decreasing the burden of cancer on Service Members, their families, Veterans, and the American public.

  • Prevention
    • Investigate primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention interventions/strategies to decrease cancer burden.
    • Determine the risk factors, etiology, or mechanisms underlying cancer development to improve prevention interventions.
  • Diagnostics/Prognostics
    • Identify approaches to predict treatment resistance, recurrence, and the development of advanced disease.
    • Distinguish unique features driving cancer occurrence across the spectrum of ages.
    • Develop and improve minimally invasive methods for neoplasia detection, initiation, progression, and recurrence.
  • Therapeutics
    • Transform cancer treatment, especially for advanced, recurrent, and metastatic disease.
    • Improve current therapies including systemic and local treatments.
    • Evaluate disease progression and/or treatment response over time.
    • Leverage the mechanisms of cancer development to improve treatment methods for all communities.
  • Patient Well-Being and Survivorship
    • Study methods to address cancer survivorship issues, including quality of life, wellness, mental health, psychological impact of recurrence, reproductive/sexual health, and/or disability.
    • Reduce short- and long-term treatment toxicities, including neurocognitive and physical effects.
    • Investigate ways to bridge gaps between treatment and survivorship, including alternative medicine, nutrition and lifestyle factors, and supportive care.
    • Understand and address the immediate and enduring burdens on caregivers, families, and communities.
  • Disparity
    • Improve prevention strategies, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for patients in disparately affected populations, including improving telehealth.
    • Study methods to improve barriers to care and address survivorship.

Environmental Exposures and Risk Factors for Cancer (319kb)

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Congressional Appropriations

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Funding
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Programmatic
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Peer Review Participants

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Vision

To advance mission readiness of U.S. military members affected by cancer.

Mission

To successfully promote high-impact research in cancer prevention, detection, treatment, quality of life, and survivorship for Service Members, their families, Veterans, and the American public.




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Last updated Friday, February 7, 2025