Values of the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center

As members of the University of Chicago Cancer Research Center, we are committed to exploring and developing innovative ways to prevent and reduce the devastating effects of cancer. Although we recognize that we may never find a universal cure for all cancers, we are dedicated to transforming this deadly disease into a chronic ailment. To meet this ambitious challenge, we focus on the needs of patients, strive for the highest quality in research, educate and support local health professionals, and strengthen our links with our communities.

Needs of the Patients

  • Stimulate and support collaborative, interdisciplinary basic and clinical cancer research and bring the benefits of our breakthroughs to patients to provide them with superior, state-of-the-art care;
  • Provide and develop imaging techniques and technologies to enhance diagnostics, detect malignancies early in their development; and make radiographs easier to read accurately; and
  • Improve quality of life for patients, and provide convenient access to useful resources to support their physical, social, and emotional needs.

Research of the Highest Quality

  • Use clinical trials to test investigational drugs and identify effective new cancer therapies; and
  • Apply the latest advances in imaging, molecular biology, information technology, genetics, genomics, systems biology, and other disciplines to the study of human tumors.

Support Community Physicians and Provide Enhance Education for Health Professionals

  • Provide education and training for basic scientists, clinical investigators and health care professionals at all levels;
  • Ensure clinical trials access to community oncologists and minority populations via a network of affiliated hospitals and health centers; and
  • Develop and implement outreach programs that educate local health professionals about new treatment, prevention and diagnostic techniques.

Strengthen our Links with Communities

  • Enable sustained engagement with our community to increase public awareness of advances in cancer research, communicate the benefits of participating in cancer clinical trials, and implement new cancer prevention and control research studies.