American Cancer Society

How We Began - A History

Established in 1913

Established in 1913 by a group of ten physicians and five lay people in New York City, the American Cancer Society was originally called The American Society for the Control of Cancer. They raised $10,000 the first year and published a pamphlet, "Facts About Cancer" to educate the public.

In 1913, the five-year survival rate was one in nine.

Decade of the 30's

After two decades of sporadic local public education activities, the Society concentrated its education activities on physicians. Five medical field representatives worked with medical societies, medical schools and particularly the American College of Surgeons, to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In 1937, through its Women's Field Army, the Society launched its first nationwide public education program.

Decade of the 40's

In the 1940's, business people, physicians and scientists agreed on a major expansion of The Society's leadership and programs. Under new bylaws, it became the American Cancer Society, Inc. Its Board of Directors was enlarged to provide full national representation. Lay leaders were given the same number of seats on the board as medical members. Educational and service programs were greatly expanded; the foundation of a broad national research program was begun.

In 1945, the American Cancer Society mounted its first large-scale, nationwide, door-to-door campaign for funds. The Society raised $4,000,000 in 1945, of which $1,000,000 was allocated to cancer research. Since then, the Society has invested more than $1,000,000,000 in research.

In the 1940's, the survival rate grew to one in four.

Decade of the 60's

Significant progress occurred in the 1960's. Due in part to early detection with the development of tests such as the Pap Test for women, survival rates improved. American Cancer Society studies, including the Hammond-Horn Study and Cancer Prevention Study I, contributed to the surgeon general's report in 1964 that lead to warning labels on tobacco products.

By the mid 1960's, the cancer survival rate was up to one in three.

Decade of the 80's

In the early 80's, the American Cancer Society's commitment to cancer prevention continued through Cancer Prevention Study II. This on-going study concentrates on risk factors - what causes people to get cancer. So far, CPS II has published reports that include information on smoking, diet, breast and colon cancer among others.

Decade of the 90's

In 1991, the American Cancer Society National Board of Directors renewed its commitment to the mission by identifying national priority areas: primary prevention of cancer, detection and treatment of cancer, services to cancer patients and their families, advocacy, income development and research.

Today, the cancer survival rate is one in two.