Ovarian Cancer Research Program

U.S. Dept. of Defense

Background Info

This program has been funded through the DOD since 1997. It is based on the very successful Breast Cancer Research Program, which began in 1992. Funding must be renewed each year, or the program ends.

The purpose of the OCRP is to "support innovative, integrated, multidisciplinary research efforts that will lead to a better understanding of, control of, and prevention of ovarian cancer ". "The program's vision is to build a sound research foundation that will enhance research toward the prevention of ovarian cancer. Awards are designed to stimulate research that will bring new investigators into the field, challenge existing paradigms, and support collaborative ventures."

In 1997, $7.5 million was appropriated for the program, and over the years it has been increased to $12 million. This proposal, for the fiscal year 2002, is to increase funding to $20 million. (As a comparison the breast cancer program had $175 million and the prostate cancer program $100 million last year.)

This program has many advantages. Among them are: 1) the funding is specifically earmarked for ovarian cancer, which does not often happen at the Congressional level where the public can have input. 2) the program actively includes consumers at all levels.

For more information, check out the DOD's Web pages on the OCRP.