KU Cancer Center Seeks Designation Upgrade

The University of Kansas Cancer Center has filed an application to have its designation changed from “cancer center” to “comprehensive cancer center” by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

In an interview with Ingram’s, Roy Jensen M.D., Director of the Cancer Center explained the importance of this change. “A comprehensive cancer center,” he said, “is responsible for putting forth the agenda in terms of decreasing incidents and mortality in the region it serves.” That means leading the way in research, the exploration of new treatments and seeking to affect public policy.

Dr. Jensen also pointed out that an upgraded designation is forecasted to result in a total economic impact of $2.6 billion dollars and the creation of some 3,500 jobs with an average wage of $68,000, which is more than $15,000 higher than the median annual wage in Kansas.

The Cancer Center, according to Dr. Jensen, is already conducting the types of research required for comprehensive status and should benefit in the designation process from its already strong prevention and controls programs.

NCI will test the Cancer Center’s mettle during a site visit this coming February; Dr. Jensen and his team will find out if they have won their new designation in July.