The nation's new leader in the fight against cancer -- a cancer survivor himself -- says for the first time there is an opportunity to understand why cancers develop and to eliminate and control them. Top cancer fighter
praises isle researchThe national institute director
has survived cancer twice himselfBy Helen Altonn
haltonn@starbulletin.comThe country's investment in biomedical research is paying off with increased understanding of cancers and mechanisms by which they grow, says Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach, appointed six months ago by the president to head the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health.
"That, for me, is a ray of important new hope that we need to continue to work hard to fulfill, but it's there and within our grasp," he said in an interview.
Von Eschenbach was here last week speaking at the National Medical Association's annual convention and learning what is going on in Hawaii regarding cancer programs.
He met with faculty and staff of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, oncologists in the community and American Cancer Society and Papa Ola Lokahi officials.
He said he was impressed with what Papa Ola Lokahi is trying to accomplish, and the Cancer Research Center is "doing a fabulous job" in research, especially in understanding natural products and environmental and genetic cancer control.
Von Eschenbach said Hawaii has an opportunity to create a network that would enable the cancer center, an independent research arm of the University of Hawaii, to develop a clinical program in the community.
Dr. Carl-Wilhelm Vogel, the center director, and UH and Queen's Medical Center administrators have been exploring the possibility of a joint cancer research center that would treat patients.
"You have significant challenges," von Eschenbach said. "You have to reach out to a variety of locations separated from each other. At the same time, it's a great opportunity to further develop and create a model that could be more widely applied."
Hawaii's Cancer Research Center, one of 62 NCI-designated cancer centers receiving support grants, is identified primarily with research, von Eschenbach said.
However, he said, "I view the (cancer) problem as needing to address the entire spectrum, from discovery of new knowledge of cancer through research, interventions based on new knowledge, and being able to deliver those opportunities to people in need."
Vogel is looking toward achieving a comprehensive National Cancer Institute designation, "which is quite prestigious" and requires significant research and clinical components, von Eschenbach said.
As NCI director, he said he has an opportunity to drive integration of research and knowledge with the ability to provide patient care, but it is up to communities how they do it.
The NCI is collaborating with other agencies and the 50 states, working through the National Governors Conference, to develop state cancer plans, von Eschenbach said. Hawaii is working aggressively on its plan, he said, explaining the plans are intended to reach into communities with cancer education, screening, early detection and access to state-of-the-art care.
He said he has "walked both sides of the street," suffering melanoma in 1987 and prostate cancer 2 1/2 years ago.
"I don't think you have to have cancer to be a dedicated researcher or compassionate clinician or to be director of the National Cancer Institute," he said, "but it sure gives you a sense of urgency."