The status of oncology care in the United States today can perhaps best be described as “experimental”. There is a wide range of accuracy in the diagnosis of many cancers, there is not great reliability in the prediction of prognosis for patients, and there is variability in the success of treatments rendered; therefore, patients are often subjected to tremendous stress during the course of their disease, which in and of itself can complicate treatment. The NFGC was established to address these issues and to provide cancer patients with accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment - a lofty objective to be sure, but one that is absolutely attainable. The ability to diagnose and treat cancer patients in a novel, extraordinarily accurate way will impact not only the patients but, as importantly, their physicians and the functional genomics research community at large. The NFGC is a centerpiece of functional genomics research that will validate the theory that cancer has a molecular signature that can be used to accurately diagnose, predict survival, and define an optimal course of treatment for each individual patient. The quality of life for cancer patients will be immensely improved by this novel, personalized approach that has been made possible by the support given to the NFGC by Congress and the Department of Defense. The continued support of the NFGC is the vital component necessary to push this through to validation.
Updated 8/8/07