About the University of Colorado Cancer Center

History

 

UCCC Mission

The mission of the University of Colorado Cancer Center is to contribute through coordinated basic research, clinical, prevention and control, and educational activities to the eventual elimination of cancer as a human health problem; and provide the citizens of the State of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region with state-of-the art cancer research, therapy, control and educational programs.

The University of Colorado Cancer Center was founded in 1986 after considerable planning efforts led by University of Colorado School of Medicine Dean Joseph W. St. Geme. During this process, the University of Colorado Denver, University of Colorado School of Medicine and the State of Colorado presented strategic reports about how such a cancer center would benefit the people of Colorado. While housed at UC Denver, UCCC began as a consortium of affiliated institutions from across Colorado that have interests in cancer and it has remained a consortium ever since.

In 1986, the University Regents approved UCCC as a University Center. After a national search, Paul A. Bunn, Jr., was selected as the first director. Dr. Bunn previously was Head of the Division of Medical Oncology at the National Cancer Institute. In 1988, the Cancer Center received its first NCI Cancer Center designation, and in 1997, it was designated a comprehensive cancer center.

UCCC Today

Today, UCCC is the hub for cancer research in Colorado. With eight programs, 20 shared core resources and nearly 400 members from 14 affiliated institutions, UCCC is responsible for the majority of cancer research in the Rocky Mountain region. Our members are often found on boards and committees of national cancer research organizations, including:

• Southwest Oncology Group
• Radiation Therapy Oncology Group
• Children's Oncology Group
• American Cancer Society
• International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer

Research activities are primarily conducted on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colo., one of the nation's largest bioscience parks. Clinical care is conducted at University of Colorado Hospital, Denver Health Medical Center, Denver Veterans Administration Medical Center and The Children's Hospital, as well as through outreach to rural and mountain communities throughout Colorado.

In 2004, UCCC was designated a LIVESTRONG^TM  Center of Survivorship Excellence by the Lance Armstrong Foundation. As one of only seven centers, our commitment to cancer survivorship issues through patient care, education and research is among the best in the nation.

UCCC Objectives

1. The Center encourages and facilitates closer cooperation and communication between basic scientists, clinical investigators and social, psychological and other behavioral scientists, as well as between the Cancer Center members and investigators at other institutions.
2. New program areas and services are developed by the Center to complement existing cancer research and clinical resources, as well as to promote areas of new research.
3. The Center strives for the highest quality of clinical care by promoting multi-disciplinary diagnostic, treatment and prevention services, by demonstrating and evaluating new management techniques and by fostering the rapid clinical application of demonstrably useful methods of cancer management and prevention.
4. Teaching programs in pre- and post-doctoral fields related to cancer and in the allied health professions are encouraged and fostered in order to train the professional and technical personnel necessary to attack the cancer problem nationally.
5. Cancer Center Shared Core Services exist for the benefit of the research conducted by member investigators.  These shared resources are continually reviewed for ways to strengthen and improve their service to members. As well, new shared research services are instituted as needed by the Center’s members. The Center contributes to strengthening cancer research and clinical service at University of Colorado Denver, in Denver, in Colorado, and in neighboring states through the development of its Programs, by fostering appointments of high-quality faculty, and by providing developmental and core service support where required.
6. Active participation in University of Colorado Denver programs by practicing health professionals in Denver, in Colorado and throughout the Rocky Mountain region is encouraged. Participation by such individuals fosters an integrated, cooperative community program of cancer research, treatment, and prevention and control outreach and education activities.