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Texas' Role as a Leader in Cancer Research & Prevention

In 2007, the Texas Legislature and the people of Texas made a 10-year commitment to invest $3 billion in cancer research and prevention in Texas, creating the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and making the state a leader in the fight against cancer. 

Why Texas Leads in Cancer Prevention and Research 

CPRIT positioned Texas as a magnet for medical innovation and scientific breakthroughs. It is more than just a state agency — CPRIT put Texas at the forefront in the war to defeat cancer. Since voters overwhelmingly approved CPRIT funding, the state has become the second-largest public funder of cancer research in the nation — and the results have exceeded expectations.

Prevention and Care

stethoscopeMore than 4 million clinical services provided to Texans in every single county

Medical ExamMore than 12,000 people now aware they have cancer or a likelyhood of getting cancer and can be proactive, because of CPRIT's grants

9 percentBetween 2010 and 2015, Texas saw a 9 percent drop in cancer death rates, which translates to nearly 10,207 averted deaths

Accolades

MedalA CPRIT scholar receives the 2018 Nobel Prize in Medicine

TrophyMore than 1,250 awards provided for cancer research, product development and prevention, totaling nearly $2 billion

Economic Activity

FolderCPRIT has created more than 98,000 jobs, attracting talented researchers, physicians and entrepreneurs to Texas

CoinsMore than $10.9 billion in Texan economic activity generated as a result of CPRIT

 

What's at Stake

A new poll by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network indicates 89 percent of Texas voters believe it's important for the state to remain a national leader in cancer research and prevention by providing CPRIT funds, and 78 percent believe it's more important to continue CPRIT's lifesaving work than end the program and save taxpayers money.

Here are just a few things at-risk if CPRIT funding stops:

  • Screening and prevention programs will be severed
  • Texans in every county will lose access to clinical services provided by CPRIT
  • Numerous jobs created through CPRIT funding will disappear
  • The declining cancer death rate in Texas will be put in jeopardy
  • Texas will lose its distinction as a national leader in cancer prevention and research

ACS CAN urges lawmakers to support the bills filed this session to extend CPRIT funding for another decade.

ACS CAN’s team of advocates and volunteers, as part of the Texas Cancer Partnership, are working to spread the word that Texas needs to build on the progress and continue saving lives through ongoing investments in cancer research and prevention.

Read more about CPRIT’s impact here.