Black History Month, the National Cancer Act—and opening up the archives

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As the Cancer History Project gets underway, our archives are growing. Now featuring past issues of The Cancer Letter from 1973-2014 and The Clinical Cancer Letter from 1977-2014, the database is becoming a fun place to explore. Go ahead, do a search for your mentors, and unearth lost quotes from times passed.

This new column in The Cancer Letter will feature the latest posts to the Cancer History Project by our growing list of contributors.

Notably, the NCI Library is uploading a treasure trove of primary source materials, AACR and ASCO have uploaded their annual reports, and MUSC Hollings Cancer Center and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are posting stories, videos, and images.

The Cancer History Project is a free, web-based, collaborative resource intended to mark the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Act and designed to continue in perpetuity. The objective is to assemble a robust collection of historical documents and make them freely available.


Quote of the week

Society can’t afford two classes of citizens, one which can be used in research and one which can’t.

Charles Gordon Zubrod

AACR, ASCO Members Concerned Over Ethics, Social Issues, And What To Do About Them, The Cancer Letter, May 16, 1975


Black History Month

The Cancer History Project has invited contributors this month to highlight the achievements and contributions by Black oncologists, researchers, and advocates, as well as any content focusing on health disparities.

Video: Paying Tribute to ASCO Founder Jane C. Wright, MD
By ASCO, Feb. 3, 2021

Ida-J.-Spruill-headshot

Video: Remembering Ida J. Spruill: A pioneer in cancer health disparities research
By MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, Feb. 1, 2021

A growing collection of posts celebrating the impact on oncology by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color oncologists, researchers, and advocates will continue to be available under the tag “BIPOC Impact.”


Spotlight articles

Naional Cancer Act

The National Cancer Act of 1971
By NCI, Jan. 27, 2021

Simone's-Maxims-cover-pg

Book: Simone’s Maxims: Understanding Today’s Academic Medical Centers
By Cancer History Project, Jan. 29, 2021

Zubrod-cover2

Book: Stairway of Surprise: A Biography of Kay and Gordon Zubrod
By Cancer History Project, Jan. 15, 2021


Recent contributions

Archival Photos: Joseph V. Simone: archival photos from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
By St. Jude, Jan. 29, 2021

Obituary: Hollings leaves important legacy at namesake cancer center and beyond
By MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, Feb. 1, 2021

Archival Photos: Senator Ernest “Fritz” Hollings, namesake of MUSC Hollings Cancer Center
By MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, Feb. 2, 2021

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center awarded NCI designation, February 2009
By MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, Feb. 1, 2021

History of the AACR
By AACR, Jan. 27, 2021

Presidents of the AACR
By AACR, Jan. 21, 2021

The Founders of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
By ASCO, Jan. 28, 2021

Research Milestones: Cancer Progress Timeline
By ASCO, Jan. 8, 2021


Primary Sources

Conquest of Cancer Act. 92nd Congress, 1st Session, S. 1828, June 29 (legislative day of June 28), 1971
By NCI, Feb. 4, 2021

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, December 27, 1971
By NCI, Jan. 27, 2021
Read the remarks by President Nixon on the signing of the National Cancer Act of 1971.

Statement of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee Hearing. 20th Anniversary of the NCA
By NCI, Jan. 28, 2021

Opening Statement of Senator Edward Kennedy, Subcommittee on Investigations, National Cancer Institute, May 21, 1981
By NCI, Jan. 28, 2021

Semicentennial Celebration of the National Cancer Institute, May 26, 1987
By NCI, Jan. 28, 2021

Oversight of the National Cancer Program, 97th Congress, 1st Session, May 21, 1981
By NCI, Jan. 28, 2021

National Cancer Act Amendments of 1974, 93rd Congress, July 23, 1974
By NCI, Jan. 27, 2021

Report on the National Cancer Act Amendments of 1974, 93rd Congress, 2nd Session, March 20, 1974. Report No. 93-736
By National Cancer Institute, Jan. 28, 2021

National Cancer Amendments of 1974. 93rd Congress, 2nd Session. Report No. 93-954, March 27, 1974
By NCI, Jan. 27, 2021

National Cancer Act of 1974, 93rd Congress, 2nd Session (S.2893), January 30, 1974
By NCI, Jan. 27, 2021

Conquest of Cancer, White House Fact Sheet, August 17, 1973
By NCI, Jan. 27, 2021

The National Cancer Act of 1971, White House Fact Sheet, December 23, 1971
By NCI, Jan. 27, 2021

Introduction of the Conquest of Cancer Act, Congressional Record, January 25, 1971
By NCI, Jan. 27, 2021

Reports: Clinical Cancer Advances 2018–2020: Annual Reports on Progress Against Cancer From the American Society of Clinical Oncology
By ASCO

Reports: AACR Cancer Progress Reports 2019–2020
By AACR

Reports: AACR Annual Reports 2015–2019
By AACR


Access to the Cancer History Project is open to the public at CancerHistoryProject.com. You can also follow us on Twitter at @CancerHistProj.

Is your institution a contributor to the Cancer History Project?

Eligible institutions include cancer centers, advocacy groups, professional societies, pharmaceutical companies, and key organizations in oncology.

To get involved with the project, please contact admin@cancerhistoryproject.com.

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