Cancer Moonshot Reignited to End Cancer as We Know It

One year ago, Jill and I reignited the Cancer Moonshot to end cancer as we know it today. Since then, we have announced over 25 new programs to close the screening gap, address environmental exposure, decrease preventable cancers, move cutting-edge research forward, and more. The Cancer Moonshot is a nationwide effort that seeks to accelerate progress in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. The goal of this initiative is to make a decade’s worth of progress in five years. This includes making advances in early detection and prevention; developing new treatments for advanced stages of cancer; improving access to quality care; and increasing collaboration between researchers and clinicians. In order to achieve these goals, the initiative has launched several initiatives that focus on closing the screening gap for underserved populations by providing access to screenings such as mammograms or colonoscopies. Additionally, it has addressed environmental exposures by working with local communities on air pollution control measures or promoting healthier lifestyles through nutrition education programs. Furthermore, the initiative has focused on decreasing preventable cancers by expanding immunization efforts against HPV or encouraging people to quit smoking through support services like quitlines or counseling sessions. Finally, it has sought to move cutting-edge research forward by investing in clinical trials that test innovative therapies or treatments that may be beneficial for patients with advanced stages of cancer. The Cancer Moonshot has also been successful in bringing together various stakeholders from across different sectors including government agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), private companies such as pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology firms, advocacy groups such as patient organizations and foundations dedicated towards fighting cancer. These collaborations have enabled them to leverage resources from all sectors in order to maximize their impact towards ending cancer as we know it today. As part of its one year anniversary celebration this month, Jill and I are proud of what we have achieved so far but recognize there is still much work left ahead if we are going succeed at our mission of ending cancer as we know it today. We remain committed towards continuing our efforts until this goal is realized so that no family ever again suffers from this terrible disease.