DIRECTOR ’ S MESSAGE
Randall F . Holcombe , MD , MBA
NCI designation and the University of Hawai ‘ i Cancer Center
There are 69 cancer centers in the United States that receive designation by the National Cancer Institute ( NCI ); the University of Hawai ‘ i Cancer Center is one of them . The NCI-designated centers are the backbone of the NCI ’ s programs for studying and controlling cancer . The NCI-designated cancer centers are recognized for their scientific leadership , resources and the depth and breadth of their research in basic , clinical and population sciences . Centers must meet strict requirements and undergo re-evaluation every five to six years .
The UH Cancer Center is currently in the midst of this process of periodic re-evaluation . After submitting a 1,500 + page proposal describing the activities at the Cancer Center related to research , education , clinical trials and community outreach , we hosted a team of reviewers from the National Cancer Institute on January 31 , 2018 for a full day of presentations and discussions . The team from the NCI recognized that the UH Cancer Center plays a unique role among U . S . cancer centers and has a very strong presence and impact in the community addressing the cancer burden of its population . A formal report and official news of NCI designation renewal will be forthcoming over the summer .
While the NCI designation itself is important because it facilitates recruitment of new , talented faculty researchers and provides support for research operations , more significant is that the NCI designation provides recognition of the depth and quality of research at our Cancer Center into the causes and treatments for cancer . This depth and quality is increasing every day with new discoveries , new community initiatives , new faculty recruitments and new hope for the people of Hawai ‘ i .
Trans-Pacific partnership focuses on cancer prevention in the Pacific
The Trans-Pacific Partnership for Cancer Prevention ( TPPCP ) was formalized in August 2017 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the UH Cancer Center , Hawai ‘ i Pacific University , University of Guam and the American Sāmoa Community Cancer Coalition . This is a collaborative academic relationship with the following mission and scope :
1 . Enhance research collaborations related to cancer prevention in the Pacific ;
2 . Provide a forum for exchange of ideas and best practices in relation to a wide variety of activities to reduce the cancer burden in Hawai ‘ i and across the Pacific ;
3 . Facilitate the submission of multi-institutional grants to obtain funding for cancer prevention-related research impacting peoples of Hawai ‘ i and the Pacific ;
4 . Facilitate the successful attainment of research goals and objectives for ongoing funded research projects ;
5 . Promote research aimed at reducing cancer health disparities ;
6 . Promote research in training and education as they relate to the development of cancer prevention materials and infrastructure ;
7 . Provide an opportunity to collaborate on the investigation of culturally important natural products for cancer prevention ;
8 . Provide an opportunity to meet regularly , at conferences and via electronic means , to discuss new initiatives and report on progress of ongoing research ; and
9 . Identify shared educational opportunities and opportunities for innovation .
Because much of the Pacific has inadequate facilities and resources for cancer treatment , the greatest impact that the UH Cancer Center can have is to focus on cancer prevention initiatives . The TPPCP is led by UH Cancer Center Director , Randall Holcombe , MD , MBA and Associate Director for Ethnic Diversity , Loic Le Marchand , MD , PhD .
Mahalo ,
Randall F . Holcombe , MD , MBA Director
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