Our NCI Designation Journey
When you or a loved one faces a cancer diagnosis, the last thing you should worry about is how far you’ll need to travel for quality, affordable care.
For too long, many Louisianans have had to leave home to access advanced cancer treatment. As a result, our state continues to have one of the nation's highest cancer mortality rates -- 218.2 per 100,000 residents.
At LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center, we're changing that. Our mission is clear: to deliver innovative, high-quality cancer care and research right here at home. Every one deserves access to the most advanced prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options without leaving the state or their support networks.
That’s why we’re on a transformative journey to join the prestigious group of 73NCI-Designated Cancer Centersin the United States recognized by the National Cancer Institute for excellence in cancer research, education, and patient care.
What is an NCI-Designated Cancer Center?
NCI-Designated Cancer Centers represent the nation's highest standard of cancer research, prevantion, and care. Recognized by NCI, these Centers bring together experts from across disciplines to translate groundbreaking laboratory discoveries into advanced clinical treatments that save lives.
Each NCI-Designated Cancer Center also plays a vital role within its community by developing outreach, education, and prevention programs tailored to the populations it serves. By addressing unique cancer burdens of their region and sharing discoveries across the national network, these Centers ensure that progress in cancer care benefits people everywhere.
For more than five decades, NCI-Designated Cancer Centers have led the discoveries that define modern oncology advancing early detection, pioneering targeted therapies, and improving survival and quality of life for millions.
Advancing Cancer Care for Louisiana
Today, the nearest NCI-Designated Cancer Centers are hundreds of miles away. Patients in Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast should not have to travel far to receive world-class cancer care.
Together, with LSU, LSU Health New Orleans, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, and our clinical partners at University Medical Center and Manning Family Children's, our cancer research experts are driving innovation in the lab, the clinic, and the community.
Through groundbreaking studies, innovative clincial trials and cancer prevention programs, we're improving outcomes for patients across Louisiana -- TODAY, not someday.
Achieving NCI Designation will elevate this impact even further. It will expand access to life-saving clinical trials and cutting-edge therapies, attract top researchers and physicians, and bring millions in federal research funding to Louisiana. These investments create high-poying jobs, drive innovation, and strengthen our state's economy while positioning Louisiana as a leader in cancer research and care.
A Commitment to Every Community
Excellent cancer care should be a right, not a privilege. Our journey toward NCI-Designation reflects our commitment to advancing research, improving outcomes, and transforming the future of cancer care for every Louisiana community.
Together we are building a healthier, stronger Louisiana. One discovery, one patient, and one community at a time.