nci

NCI most commonly refers to the National Cancer Institute, a United States government agency that is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The institute supports cancer research, provides health information to the public, funds training, and develops programs aimed at improving prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer.

Founded in 1937, the National Cancer Institute operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as the nation's leading funder of cancer research. It conducts intramural research at its laboratories and clinical facilities, and it funds a wide range of cancer research conducted at universities and medical centers nationwide. The NCI also administers programs that support training and career development for researchers and clinicians.

Key activities and programs include the SEER Program, which collects and analyzes cancer incidence and survival data; the NCI-designated Cancer Centers network, which coordinates high-level research and patient care; and oversight of national cancer clinical trials. The institute disseminates evidence-based information to patients, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, and it supports cancer prevention, screening, and control initiatives.

In addition to its U.S. focus, the NCI collaborates internationally on research, data sharing, and guidelines to improve cancer outcomes worldwide. The acronym NCI can refer to other organizations in different contexts, but the National Cancer Institute is by far the most widely known usage in science and medicine.