Strang
Cancer Prevention Institute
Dedicated to promoting cure by early detection and research to prevent cancer since 1933
Early detection is your best protection
Historical Timeline 91 years of excellence
1933
The Kate Depew Strang Clinic founded by Dr. Elise Strang L’Esperance and opened by first lady Eleanor Roosevelt at the New York Infirmary, is the first clinic for the early detection of cancer.
1937
First cancer prevention program established at the Kate Depew Strang Clinic.
1940
First medical facility to introduce Dr. George Papanicolaou’s Pap test.
1950
First in U.S. to use sigmoidoscopy for early detection of colon cancer.
1951
Dr. L’Esperance receives the prestigious Lasker Award for Medical Research.
1962
Strang Director Dr. Emerson Day coauthors the first medical textbook for early detection of cancer.
1969
The risk-factor analysis concept in cancer screening is first introduced at Strang.
1970
RCA and Strang design a computer system to support algorithmic risk factor analysis and a patient’s medical record.
1973
Strang pioneers the training of paramedical personnel to conduct cancer detection examinations based on Strang’s CanScreen™ Program.
1974
With collaborating institutions, Strang is first to conduct a controlled trial of sputum cytology for early detection of lung cancer.
1975
With collaborating institutions, Strang introduces the stool slide test for detection of colon cancer.
1981
First in U.S. to study trans-rectal sonography for the detection of prostate cancer.
1983
First to demonstrate a DNA-repair deficiency in colon cancer patients and their families.
1987
Specialized breast surveillance program initiated that provides screening, counseling, and research for women with genetic risk factors.
1989
The first National High-risk Registry for women with strong family histories of breast cancer established.
1990
Affiliates with the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center.
1991
Strang Cancer Research Laboratory opens.
1992
Strang-Cornell Breast Center opens.
1993
Strang Research Computing Group is established.
1994
International Conference for Cancer Prevention is established.
1995
Strang Cancer Research Laboratory is relocated to the campus of The Rockefeller University.
1996
Anne Fisher Nutrition Center opened.
1996
Strang Research Computing Group wins Microsoft Healthcare Industry award.
1997
James E. Olson Colon Cancer Detection Center opened.
1997
Strang Research Computing Group, nominated by Bill Gates, receives a Computerworld Smithsonian Award.
1998
Strang Research Computing Group's Genetics Outreach Program Version 2.0 is inducted into the Smithsonian Institution for contributions to technology and society.
1999
Strang leads multicenter trial for colon polyp prevention.
2000
The Strang Cancer Biology Laboratory established at The Rockefeller University.
2004
Strang scientist describes structure of the functional part of the BRCA 1 gene and is featured on the front cover of the journal Cancer Research.
2005
Classification of BRCA gene mutations.
2006
Bone marrow micrometastasis shown to be the strongest predictor of 5-year survival in breast cancer.
2008
Diet alone for the first time shown to cause colon tumors in an experimental model.
2009
Breast cancer cells inhibited by an extract from the Taheebo tree.
2009
Strang Cancer Prevention Institute is established as an independent non-profit entity and continues to fund research to prevent cancer and promote cure through early detection. Co-Founders Michael P. Osborne MD and Merle K. Barash MA AEd, MA Psya
2014
The Dianne Zola Ovarian Cancer Research Fund established by Secretary on the Board of Trustees Merle K. Barash MA AEd, MA Psya.
2015
Tribute to Mitchell L. Gaynor, MD; Pioneer of Integrative Oncology and former Strang Director of Medical Oncology.
2016
Completion of randomized trial to improve primary care physicians’ cancer screening recommendations and communication with patients.
2019
Study of educating primary care physicians on cancer screening and prevention using PREVENTION e-newsletters, 2019 to present.
2022
Honoring Dr. May Edward Chinn at a Street Co Naming Ceremony in New York City, a pioneer who studied cytological methods for cancer detection at its earliest stages and a collaborator in developing the Pap Test at Strang.