WHY NOW: The number of new cancer cases is estimated to surpass two million in 2026 (just over 5,700 per day) and about 626,000 people will lose their lives as a result.

Over 18 million Americans are alive today thanks to steady federal investment in cancer research at NIH and NCI. Research investments have resulted in a 33% decrease in the cancer death rate from 1991 to 2021, which equates to about 4.1 million fewer deaths over that period. Furthermore, two-thirds of cancer patients live five years longer after diagnosis compared to just half of those individuals 40 years ago. Radiation oncology played a major role in these improved health outcomes, since half of all cancer patients receive radiation therapy. NCI received an appropriations increase in FY26 despite a difficult funding environment and stained increases are needed to keep pace with increasing costs of research.