Florida is accepting applications for $60 million in grants to be distributed through its Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Wednesday.
“We can be the difference maker,” the governor said as he called for researchers and innovators to apply for funding.
DeSantis and his wife, Casey, spoke on Wednesday at a news conference at the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa about the need for more cancer research and innovation, and said this year’s grants will focus on prevention, particularly through nutrition and lifestyle changes.
The governor said about 40% of cancer cases are preventable through lifestyle changes, including nutrition.
DeSantis’ figure appeared to reference a 2024 American Cancer Society study that said about 40% of cancer cases could be attributed to modifiable risk factors, including cigarette smoking, excess body weight, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, diet, and infections.
“What is healthy and what is in our foods?” Casey DeSantis asked. “We want to focus grants and funding for prevention for people who are battling cancer to understand how diet and nutrition play a role in better outcomes.”
Florida’s first lady said she wondered about factors that contribute to cancer during her treatment for breast cancer several years ago. In 2022, the Florida Consortium of the National Cancer Institute’s Centers program was renamed for Casey DeSantis
Some research on diet and cancer is already underway at the Sylvester Cancer Center at the University of Miami, which is looking at how and when women with endometrial cancer eat can affect the tumor metabolism.
“One of the things I get asked is what can I do to reduce my risk of cancer coming back,” said Tracy Crane, a behavioral scientist who received one of the first rounds of cancer innovation funds. “Knowing what to eat and how to eat is important. We are testing whether shifting meal timing can shift the biology in endometrial cancer.”
Additionally, the governor announced that the state will invest millions of dollars in pediatric cancer research over the next five years through the Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator, which is funded at $30 million. The money will go to innovation at Florida’s four children’s specialty hospitals: Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, and Nicklaus Children’s in Miami.
“They are all eligible for multi-year grants. They’re going to be able to expand clinical trials, improve treatment protocols and advance real-world cures. We want to make sure we are not just funding projects but achieving outcomes,” the governor said.
This year alone, Florida has committed $118 million to cancer research through three different initiatives to prevent, detect and treat cancer, he said.
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo also spoke about the need for more research on the connection between food and cancer.
South Florida Sun Sentinel health reporter Cindy Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentinel.com.
