In 1978, The University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC) received its first National Cancer Institute (NCI) Support Grant for $1 million, designating it as an official cancer research and treatment center. The UACC was founded by Sydney E. Salmon, MD,  who served as the Center’s director from 1976 until 1999.

The University of Arizona Cancer Center is the only comprehensive cancer center headquartered in Arizona.