CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, Vol 23, 47-51, Copyright
© 1973 by American Cancer Society
The National Cancer Program Plan
Frank J. Rauscher Jr. Ph.D.1
1 The Director of the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.
The National Cancer Program Plan is basically a hierarchy composed of a strategic plan, operational plan and specific individual scientific program plans. The strategic plan presents the basic scientific framework and direction for the overall program: the major national objectives major courses of actions and estimated resources necessary to achieve the objectives. The operational plan includes more detailed information concerning specific program milestones, scientific subobjectives and plans for implementation, thereby providing the detail necessary to monitor and control the National Program. The individual scientific program plans (e.g., Chemotherapy Special Virus Cancer Program, Cancer Control Program and Organ Site Programs) will include the detail necessary for day-to-day program operations, monitoring and reporting.
Because of the importance of this plan, it is undergoing extensive, in-depth review by the National Academy of Sciences, Office of Science and Technology, Office of Management and Budget, Secretary DHEW, Director NIH, (including his staff and advisory committee), President's Cancer Panel, National Cancer Advisory Board, Planning Session participants and the NCI senior staff.
The strategic and operational plans will in no way constrain the scientific investigations needed to achieve the program goal. Rather they are designed to provide a framework through which the knowledge, skills and resources of the nation can be most effectively mobilized to reach the objectives so earnestly sought by the American people. The plans will undergo constant revision to reflect the latest findings, leads and opportunities. As with the development of the initial plan, the scientific community will continue to be involved in subsequent stages of program planning. Only through the continued collective effort of all persons involved in cancer research and control will the conquest of cancer be achieved.
