Today, Dec. 23, 2011, marks the 40th anniversary of the National Cancer Act of 1971, which led to significant new U.S. investments in cancer research. A U.S. Senate resolution, S. Res. 347, commemorated the occasion as well as the 12 million cancer survivors who are alive as a result of the nation’s commitment to cancer research and advances in cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

ASCO volunteers have helped put this milestone in perspective with the following commentaries and appearances:

• An op-ed by ASCO President Dr. Michael Link titled “Conquering cancer means more clinical research” was featured in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
  
  
• A Wall Street Journal Health Blog article, titled "War on Cancer Celebrates 40th Anniversary; What's Next?" quotes Dr. Link and mentions ASCO's CancerProgress.Net website and the ASCO research blueprint for accelerating progress in cancer research.
  
  
• AARP’s Prime Time Focus radio program featured Dr. Richard Schilsky, executive editor for ASCO’s CancerProgress.Net, speaking about progress in cancer research and the challenges ahead. 
  
  
• Sirius/XM satellite radio show Doctor Radio also interviewed Dr. Schilsky earlier this week.
  
  
• Medscape featured an interview by ASCO member Dr. Kathy D. Miller, MD, with past ASCO President George Sledge, MD.
  
  
• Also on Medscape, Dr. Vincent T. DeVita Jr., MD, a past ASCO president (1977-1978) who served as director of the National Cancer Institute (1980-1988), writes that the National Cancer Act largely succeeded in its aims.