A Look at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC), was founded in 1975 in Seattle Washington. Since then, the Fred Hutchinson has become one of the leading cancer research centers in the country. Their specialists have conducted pivotal research on the prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer, HIV/AIDS and other deadly diseases.

Their interdisciplinary team of researchers have uncovered new ways to detect cancers at a point when curing the patient is highly likely. Additionally, they’ve developed better treatments which don’t produce as many adverse effects. Their awareness programs have helped teach people about healthier lifestyle habits that will help them lower their risk of cancer.

Cancer Breakthroughs from Fred Hutchinson

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center first made major headlines in the 1970s when Dr. E. Donnall Thomas made a breakthrough discovery in bone marrow transplantation. His pioneering work earned him the Nobel Prize in medicine. Over the years, several other breakthrough discoveries have been made have been made at the center, including important work on the development of immunotherapies that actually pit the human immune system against cancer.

Some interesting stats about the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center include:

• Fred Hutch has 200 research groups in four scientific divisions collaborating to form a unique environment for conducting basic and applied sciences focused on cancer and other fatal diseases.
• FHCRC receives more funding from the National Cancer Institute than any other clinical research facility.
• Patients at Fred Hutchinson gain access to state-of-the art cancer care programs and the latest research-based cancer therapies.

The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA)

Collaboration is very important in today’s world, even for world-class research facilities like FHCRC. The center maintains a strong network with a variety of hospitals and medical institutions designed to provide the most comprehensive care to cancer patients of all ages. Fred Hutchinson collaborates with Seattle Children’s Hospital and UW Medicine.

This group forms what is known as the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), which happens to be one of the most comprehensive adult and pediatric cancer care programs in the country. The SCCA leverages world-class research capabilities with state-of-the-art therapies to offer the best patient-focused cancer care in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to providing educational resources, these centers are the location of many clinical trials in Washington.

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Prevention Program

The staff at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center fully understands that advancing medicine through research isn’t the only avenue towards saving more people from cancer. The facility also has the distinguished honor of running the largest and oldest cancer prevention program in the United States.

The FHCRC’s program has made some incredible contributions that have furthered our understanding of how a healthy diet and regular exercise can help reduce a person’s risk of developing cancer. It’s the combined efforts on both fronts that have secured Fred Hutchinson’s place as one of the best cancer treatment centers in the world.