University of Illinois at Chicago

The University of Illinois Cancer Center is a science-first research institution that gives every patient with cancer equal access to world-class treatment.

More than 230 Cancer Center physicians and scientists are dedicated to equitable cancer care and no patient is ever turned away. The Cancer Center is focused on creating equity by providing optimal cancer treatment to patients who are historically under-represented in research and clinical trials.

The diversity of our patients improves scientific understanding of how biology and societal factors contribute to an unequal cancer burden. Researchers are unlocking the mysteries of cancer by integrating genetics, basic science and public health information to identify factors that influence the frequency and severity of disease. Using state-of-the-art cancer biomarkers, the Cancer Center optimizes treatment for every patient’s individual disease.

We work in the communities we serve to prevent cancer, discover effective new treatments for patients and uncover new information about the disease. Patients from diverse communities are involved in every aspect of our work, informing our research and helping remove barriers to effective treatment.

We connect people with the resources they need to understand their cancer risk, detect it early and get comprehensive treatment. Our patients can receive promising cancer therapies before they are widely available, closing the gap between underrepresented communities and access to better treatments.

The University of Illinois Cancer Center provides clinical care through UI Health, an academic medical center that comprises a 462-bed tertiary care hospital, 21 outpatient clinics, and 11 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Member research is conducted in partnership with the seven University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) health science colleges: the College of Applied Health Sciences; the College of Dentistry; the School of Public Health, the Jane Addams College of Social Work; and the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy and Nursing.