Over the past few decades, there have been steady improvements in cancer survivor rates in the U.S. as a result of extraordinary progress in research and development.

FORBES: Great Strides Made In Developing New Medicines For Cancer

President GEORGE W. BUSH: Do you realize that economists say that as much as half of our nation's economic growth in the last half-century is directly due to technological progress, fueled by research and development, the kind of research and development you can do right here?

NPR: Bush Promotes Competitiveness Initiative