If Memory Serves...

In the 1930s, surgery, radiation, and x-rays were the only treatments available for cancer. In its earliest years, NCI began distributing radium to about 70 hospitals throughout the country for the treatment of financially disadvantaged patients. This program lasted through the late 1960s and was favored by Congress because it brought immediate benefits to the American public. Read more)

For more information about the birth of NCI, go to http://www. cancer.gov/aboutnci/ncia.

Hoover Presents NIH Gordon Epidemiology Lecture
On May 16, Dr. Robert Hoover, director of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Program in NCI's Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, gave the NIH Gordon Award Lecture on "Hormones and Breast Cancer: Etiology vs. Ideology." This prestigious international honor is bestowed annually on a scientist who has contributed significantly to research in epidemiology or clinical trials. The lectureship is awarded by the NIH Director on the recommendation of the NIH Epidemiology and Clinical Trials Interest Group.

Dr. Hoover reviewed the evidence for hormonally related breast cancer risk factors, some of which have run counter to prevailing hypotheses.

The lecture is named for Dr. Robert S. Gordon, Jr., the first director of the NIH Office of Disease Prevention. The event is available for viewing at http://videocast.nih.gov/.

American Society for Microbiology Honors Gottesman
The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) presented their 2007 Founders Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Susan Gottesman, head of the Biochemical Genetics Section in NCI's Center for Cancer Research (CCR), for her work on behalf of ASM.

Dr. Gottesman was an editor of ASM's Journal of Bacteriology and she served as the chair of both the Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology and the Ethical Practices Committee.

ASM presented the award during their general meeting, May 21-25, in Toronto, Canada.

Teleconference Focuses on Cancer Centers Program
The final teleconference of the spring "Understanding NCI" series is scheduled for Tuesday, June 5, from 1:00-2:00 p.m., EDT. The topic is the "NCI Cancer Centers Program" with Dr. Linda Weiss, chief of NCI's Cancer Centers Branch. Within the U.S., the teleconference can be accessed toll free at 1-800-857-6584; the passcode is CENTER. Toll-free playback will be available through July 5 at 1-800-839-2204.

For additional information, go to http://ola.cancer.gov/activities/teleconferences or contact NCI's Office of Liaison Activities at 301-594-3194 or liaison@od.nci.nih.gov.

DCCPS Report Available Online
The Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) report, 2006 Overview and Highlights, was recently posted online. The report describes the division's initiatives in surveillance, molecular epidemiology, quality of care, tobacco control, behavioral research, energy balance, survivorship, health disparities, and dissemination and diffusion of new knowledge generated by cancer control research. It is available at http://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/bb/index.html.

May 31 is World No Tobacco Day
The World Health Organization has designated May 31 as World No Tobacco Day. The theme for this year's observance is smoke-free environments. More information about planned events in honor of World No Tobacco Day is available on the WHO Web site. The NCI Web site has more information about tobacco and cancer and quitting smoking.