Our Research Programs
What does it take to outsmart cancer? Research. The American Cancer Society is the largest nonprofit funder of cancer research in the United States outside of the federal government. We've invested more than $5 billion in cancer research since 1946, all to find more – and better – treatments, uncover factors that may cause cancer, and improve cancer patients' quality of life.
ACS Research News and Highlights
Colorectal Cancer Facts and Figures 2023
Colorectal cancer is swiftly shifting to more advanced disease and younger people according to Colorectal Cancer Statistics 2023, a new report on cancer facts and trends by the American Cancer Society (ACS). Researchers showed the proportion of people in the United States diagnosed with advanced-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) increased from 52% in the mid-2000s to 60% in 2019. In addition, diagnoses of people under 55 years of age doubled from 11% (1 in 10) in 1995 to 20% (1 in 5) in 2019.
Researchers found:
- The proportion of people in the United States diagnosed with advanced-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) increased from 52% around 2005 to 60% in 2019.
- Diagnoses of people under age 55 doubled from just over 1 in 10 in 1995 to 1 in 5 in 2019.
- In 2023, an estimated 153,020 people will be diagnosed with CRC in the US, and 52,550 people will die from the disease.
Like On-the-Skin Labs, Sweat Sensors Assess Biomarkers
ACS grantee uses the Internet of Everything to design compact, all-in sweat sensors that collect live data continuously, painlessly—and eventually, at home.
Incidence for Cervical Cancer Drops But Rises for Prostate Cancer
Cancer Facts & Figures 2023 has published! The latest data shows improvements for cervical cancer are linked to HPV vaccine and downturns in prostate cancer are driven by advanced-stage disease.
Finding Answers That Save Lives
We support the full realm of cancer research from basic science in the lab to translation of evidenced-based practices in cancer clinics. Some of the work we're best known for includes in-depth surveillance statistics, large studies with adults to learn about cancer prevention, and grants to support cancer researchers across the United States.
Facts & Figures Reports
Access all the Cancer Facts & Figures publications to learn about the cancer burden in the US for breast cancer, colorectal cancer, African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Global cancer, and this year's estimated number of new cancer cases and deaths.
Cancer Prevention Studies-3 (CPS-3)
Learn about our ongoing prospective, longitudinal CPS-3: About the biospecimens we collect and analyze, the studies we publish, and how our volunteer participants are helping us move closer to a world without cancer.
Apply for a Research Grant
We use a rigorous and independent peer review process to select the most innovative research to fund. See our portfolio of grant mechanisms—for scientists early in their careers to those who've already made seminal contributions to the field of cancer research—and how to apply.
Check out our newest grant mechanisms:
Currently Funded Cancer Research
No single nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization in the US has invested more to find the causes and cures of cancer than the American Cancer Society (ACS). This section outlines the current ACS substantial spending on research.
Our research grants are primarily funded by donors like you:
Explore Our Research Programs
Whether we're conducting research or funding it, our goal remains the same: to free the world from the pain and suffering from cancer.