The Cancer Letter was founded in 1973 by journalist Jerry D. Boyd, two years after the U.S. Congress passed the National Cancer Act of 1971. The Act increased support for research, training, and public education to reduce the burden of cancer.

In 1977, the company founded The Clinical Cancer Letter, a monthly newsletter on cancer clinical trials. In 1986, The Cancer Letter added a monthly business section, called Cancer Economics. In 1999, the name of the business section was changed to Business & Regulatory Report.

The company began a web site in 1993 and launched an electronic edition of The Cancer Letter in 1998. Now all publications are available online.

Editorial Policies

• The mission of The Cancer Letter Inc. publications is to report on current and controversial topics in oncology.
• Company policy doesn't allow the editors to hold individual stock positions in healthcare, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology companies.
• The editors are members of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Association of Health Care Journalists.