Cancer disparities researchers say federal funding changes have disrupted their work

Cancer disparities researchers say federal funding changes have disrupted their work covers concerns from researchers studying gaps in who gets cancer and who dies from it. The article cites AACR data showing rural Americans are 18% more likely to die from cancer overall, and Black women are 35% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. An AACR report based on a survey of 122 researchers finds federal policy changes affected about 93% of respondents, including 78% who said they could not apply for funding and 59% reporting disruptions to ongoing projects. Many of the lost funds were attributed to the NIH, and the report also references JAMA Oncology data indicating that in the first half of 2025, the Trump administration canceled 181 National Cancer Institute grants totaling more than $317 million. Researchers and policy groups say the cancellations followed a January 2025 executive order targeting “radical” DEI research. Although some grants were restored after court cases, the article says grant-making slowed and additional terminations occurred. Separate figures from HHS suggest fewer new NCI and NIMHD awards than in prior years.