Historically, since the formation of National Cancer Institute in 1937 by the Congress through passage of National Cancer Institute Act, the NCI has been a vital health tool to Americans and the world through its contribution to cancer prevention. The institution was fully empowered by being made independent research institute to carry out national efforts against cancer through congress amendment of public Health Service Act of 1944 with the National Cancer Act of 1971.
Ever since, the institution has had a responsibility of working towards incorporating state-of-the-art cancer treatment into clinical practice across United States. This initiative was triggered off by high incidences of cancer death toll (Carbone 3221). The outstanding question remains for use what drove the congress to enact the NCI as a branch of public Health Service and was it necessary? To respond to this question that holds substance for this useful institute there is need to look at the organizational structure and many of its function in different fight against cancer in the US.
Organization The structure of Natural Cancer Institute (NCI) is organized hierarchically as a branch of National Institute of Health. In other words, NCI as part of US federal government’s National Institutes of Health (NIH) is funded by federal government as a center of research and development in cancer related health issues. This makes NCI one of the eight agencies that comprise of Public Health Service with the US department of Health and Human services. At National Cancer Institute, the hierarchical structure ranges from the office of the director of NCI currently headed by Dr.
John E. Niederhuber (table for directors) The structural architect is effective that enable NCI to coordinate the national cancer problem. The organization of NCI can be summarized by the following chat. Figure 1: organizational Chart of NCI Source: Through this structure, the NCI is able to plan, conduct and coordinate national programs that involve s research on detection, diagnosis, cause, prevention, treatment and palliation of cancer and the patient affected by cancer.
Secondly, the structure proves to be efficient and demonstrates the effectiveness of cancer control techniques and methods through various aspects. These aspects include: directing or land conducting research in its own laboratories or through contracts; offer research grants in order to support and coordinate research projects by scientific institutions or individual researchers; has provision for individual and institutional research training awards and clinical education awards that are aimed at supporting training in fundamental sciences and clinical disciplines.
Furthermore, NIC supports laboratories construction and other related facilities useful on cancer research. Through this structure, NIC is able to support field tests and community demonstration projects of methods and techniques for cancer control. There is also an aspect of collaborati9ve incentives with Voluntary Organizations and other institutions that are involved in cancer research, training and control activities in the community.
NIC also takes charge in collecting and disseminating data on cancer research and control; and lastly, NIC consults with appropriate individuals and agencies in the development, coordination and support of cancer research programs in other countries worldwide in attempt to service cancer detection, research, prevention and control at a global scale.