Advancing Research Across the Cancer Care Continuum of Early-Onset Cancers

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Topic Description

Post Date: August 18, 2026

Expiration Date: August 18, 2028

Purpose

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) seeks to accelerate progress on the rising burden of non-hereditary early-onset cancers (EOCs) diagnoses; defined as cancer affecting patients between 18-49 years) by supporting research across the cancer care continuum. These include but are not limited to, pathways to prevention, diagnosis, early detection, and risk-based screening. 

NIH encourages multidisciplinary research to better understand and address the clinical, behavioral, and social factors that influence outcomes for individuals diagnosed with EOCs. Priority areas include studies that generate evidence to reduce morbidity, mortality, and disparities while improving quality of life for younger populations affected by cancer.

Background

Non-hereditary EOCs are increasing in incidence and pose a significant public health challenge. Although it is unclear what is driving this increase, there are important gaps across the care continuum from diagnosis-to-survivorship remain. EOC patients may also face age-related bias because they fall outside traditional parameters for cancer risk, and may experience delayed diagnosis, symptom misattribution, or repeated clinical visits before cancer is recognized. There is a need to identify these multilevel barriers and inform interventions that improve outcomes, including implementation strategies to strengthen delivery of high-quality care.

EOC patients may face distinct supportive and survivorship needs and challenges related to fertility preservation, mental health, caregiving responsibilities, financial toxicity, educational and employment disruption, and long-term treatment effects. Disparities in access to timely diagnosis, high-quality treatment, clinical trials, supportive care, and survivorship resources may further worsen outcomes. Additional research is needed to improve care delivery, continuity of care, survivorship planning, and patient-centered outcomes across the EOC continuum.

Central Scientific Contact:
Leeann Bailey, MD, PhD
[email protected]

Participating ICOs

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Research areas include, but are not limited to:

  • Patient-, provider-, and health system-level factors contributing to delayed diagnosis of EOCs 
  • Pathways to diagnosis, including symptom recognition, care-seeking, access, diagnostic testing, and follow-up 
  • Criteria for identifying at-risk patients in primary care settings and evaluation of community-based strategies to support early detection
  • Feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, and harms of screening or early detection approaches for EOC populations 
  • Treatment decision-making, tolerance, toxicities, and clinical outcomes among EOC patients  
  • Supportive care needs, disruptions to education, employment, and family life 
  • Survivorship outcomes, including the late- and long-term effects associated with an EOC diagnosis and long-term follow-up care
  • Effective models of care to support the unique needs of survivors of EOC
ICO Scientific Contact:
Leeann Bailey, MD, PhD
[email protected]

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

NIDCR encourages investigator-initiated research that aligns with the objectives of the topic and advances research relevant to dental, oral, and craniofacial health and disease. Specifically, NIDCR is interested in studies focused on early-onset, non-hereditary HPV-positive and -negative head and neck cancers including research addressing epidemiology, prevention, pathways to diagnosis and early detection, treatment outcomes, survivorship, and disparities in care among younger adult populations.

IC may give special consideration to support meritorious applications in this topic area.
ICO Scientific Contact:
NIDCR Division of Extramural Research
[email protected]

Office of Disease Prevention (ODP)

ODP provides co-funding support for innovative prevention research that employs rigorous study design, measurement, and analytical methods. ODP is particularly interested in research that tests evidence-based interventions and implementation strategies to prevent non-hereditary early-onset cancers (EOCs), promote risk-based screening, reduce morbidity and mortality, and improve quality of life among persons ages 18-49 years of age. 

This office does not award grants. Applications must be relevant to the objectives of at least one of the participating Institutes or Centers listed in this topic.
ICO Scientific Contact:
Elizabeth L. Neilson, PhD, MPH, MSN
[email protected]

Tribal Health Research Office (THRO)

Tribal Health Research Office

For this topic, THRO is interested in research on early-onset cancers (EOCs) in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. Projects may focus on any point(s) in the cancer care continuum from prevention through survivorship and explore behavioral, social, clinical, cultural, and/or any other relevant factors. Studies are encouraged that address impacts on health outcomes, and quality of life, and/or that tap into existing resources and strengths for EOCs in AI/AN populations. Research should be culturally grounded and involve AI/AN communities and practices as much as possible. 

This office does not award grants. Applications must be relevant to the objectives of at least one of the participating Institutes or Centers listed in this topic.
ICO Scientific Contact:
Sheila Caldwell, PhD
[email protected]

Christopher Barnhart, PhD
[email protected]

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