The Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) was established in fiscal year 2009 (FY09) to support research into specifically designated cancers with relevance to military service members and their families. Members of the military are exposed to hazardous environments due to the nature of their service and deployments and, thus, are at risk for the development of different types of cancers. Multiple epidemiological studies have shown an increased incidence in several cancers in military populations, as compared to similar non-military populations. The Veterans Health Administration acknowledged the toll of cancer on military service members and their families in its National Cancer Strategy in 2003 (VHA-Directive 2003-34). In 2007, there were 355,442 military beneficiaries diagnosed with cancer, for a prevalence of 4.1%, comprised of over 60 different cancer types. The cost of cancer-associated care within the Military Health System in FY02 was over $1 billion (Crawford et al Military Medicine 172 (2007) 1084-88). Both a healthy force and healthy family support unit, free of serious illnesses, allows the service member to focus on his or her role as a service member and facilitates the overarching military mission. The PRCRP directly impacts military welfare by providing research into cancers that may develop due to deployments or exposure to various military environments. Funding studies on the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these diseases benefits not only the service members and their families, but also the American public, ultimately leading to increased survival rates and decreased costs of medical care.
Congressional Appropriations
- $47 million in FY09-11
- $12.8 million in FY12
Funding Summary
- 68 Awards in FY09-10
- Previous Applications Recommended for Funding
Integration Panels
