Cancer Moonshot at VA
About Cancer Moonshot
The Cancer Moonshot, initiated in 2016, outlined a mission to accelerate the rate of progress against cancer. In 2022, the Cancer Moonshot was reignited with two clear goals: to prevent more than 4 million cancer deaths by 2047 and to equitably improve the lives of those impacted by cancer and their families.
VA’s Role in the Cancer Moonshot
VA cares for over 1 million Veterans somewhere on the cancer care continuum and diagnoses approximately 56,000 new cancer cases every year. VA’s Cancer Moonshot initiatives emphasize health equity through targeted outreach to historically underserved communities and programs that reduce barriers to our best-in-class cancer care. Ranging from research projects to patient-facing clinical initiatives, VA is uniquely positioned to advance the Cancer Moonshot mission as the largest integrated oncology provider in the United States.
As part of the Cancer Moonshot, VA launched the National Precision Oncology Program (NPOP) in 2016, from which many of VA's key Moonshot initiatives are run.
In response to the Cancer Moonshot initiative, VA has:
Increased Cancer Care Access
VA is bringing the full continuum of cancer care closer to where Veterans are. From at-home colorectal cancer screening and cancer genetics testing, to access to top cancer specialists via telehealth, to bringing cancer treatment and infusions closer to Veterans via our community-based clinics, we're increasing access to world class cancer care.
Partnerships for Cutting-Edge Research
VA runs a nationally-integrated clinical trials network, connecting Veterans to the latest cancer research by piloting dedicated ‘concierge’ style clinical trials matching. We also collaborate with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to address barriers to cancer clinical trial recruitment across VA through the NCI and VA Interagency Group to Accelerate Trial Enrollment (NAVIGATE).
Accelerated Data Sharing
In 2023 , VA announced a historic partnership with NCI to share cancer registry information, allowing VA to access critical data on Veterans’ cancer diagnoses and treatment outside of our health system. This will help VA study the impact of cancer on the Veteran community — including cancers linked to toxic exposures during military service.
The Latest on Cancer Moonshot at VA
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Today, the Biden Cancer Moonshot announced actions from across the Cancer Cabinet and the private sector, as well as employers and labor unions, to expand access to cancer screenings, prevent more cancers before they start, and drive new innovation to deliver the latest progress to patients, families, and communities across America to improve health outcomes.
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As part of President Biden’s Unity Agenda and following his State of the Union address, the Biden Cancer Moonshot announced key new actions that deliver urgent progress to Americans.
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