About the Center

What is the Cancer Prevention & Research Center?

The Cancer Prevention & Research Center is a regionally recognized research, education and outreach driven center. It does not serve as a traditional service line cancer center (direct patient treatment) but provides a unique set of services to its members, and the general public. The center is the focal point for cancer research at Washington State University, and works with professionals with an interest in cancer to help identify and develop cancer related research, clinical and educational projects.

 

The primary mission of the Cancer Prevention & Research Center (The Center) is “Prevention through Intervention.”  Donate online to support
the goals of The Center.  Unlike the traditional academic department or organization, the Center has members who are based in many different departments, universities and cancer organizations throughout the region. These “members” have various areas of expertise, covering a broad spectrum of cancer and cancer related topics. As members, these professionals have access to the expanding network of other Center Members who share a similar commitment to helping improve the quality of people’s lives through a reduction in the morbidity and mortality of cancer.

The Center puts significant emphasis on the establishment, facilitation and coordination of interdisciplinary research teams. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is placing greater emphasis on this team approach. When Centers such as the Cancer Prevention & Research Center organize their members to streamline the proposal development and management process there can be a time savings to the members in getting their project idea off the ground. Through the Center, members with diverse backgrounds, research projects, and interests are brought together, and, through our unique approach to research development, can work on a variety of projects ranging from small team single ideas to large scale center and program project type proposals. The Center, working with other University offices and various partners, helps identify proposals that may be of interest to its members. Once teams are identified, contacted and assembled, they are provided with consistent professional facilitation from the Center in keeping the research development process moving forward.

The Center also conducts various public outreach and education activities. This is accomplished through partnerships with prestigious national organizations and our Distinguished Lectureship series in cancer. We also maintain an extensive library of free print and web materials on various cancer topics that are available to individuals and groups. Additionally our Cancer Community Calendar and other web based resources make current and up to date cancer information just a click away.

Our Mission - Prevention Through Intervention

The Center promotes interdisciplinary research among its members to advance the discovery of the mechanisms of tumor biology and cancer genetics; the promotion of cancer prevention, early screening and diagnostic activities; and the development of an evidence-base for improving the quality of life of cancer survivors.

Goals of the Center

• Goal 1: Provide a venue for undergraduates to engage in cancer related education and outreach. Educate students about healthy lifestyle choices and cancer risk reduction. Provide research opportunities for select high performing undergraduates.
• Goal 2: Recruit and engage members, develop collaborative research initiatives and strategies to obtain extramural funding, promote graduate student involvement in cancer research, and establish an overall culture of interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, medical practitioners and cancer service providers.
• Goal 3: Through open and regular communication, the Center will be a focal point for cancer research, applied cancer research, cancer education and outreach at Washington State University and in the region. The Center is committed to quality in the services it provides to all its members, and the community. The success of the Center is dependent on the active participation and success of its members and affiliates.