Harvey Risch Appointed to Lead Trump's Cancer Panel Amid Vaccine-Cancer Research Questions

Harvey Risch, a professor emeritus of epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health, has been appointed by former President Donald Trump to chair the President's Cancer Panel, a key position overseeing the National Cancer Program. Risch's appointment was announced earlier this month, although no formal announcement was made by the president or the White House. Risch's profile page on the Yale website has been updated to reflect his new position, which he will assume as chair of the President's Cancer Panel. According to sources, Risch has expressed concerns about the potential links between COVID-19 vaccines and cancer in young people. His views on this topic have been met with skepticism by the scientific community, with many experts pointing out the lack of credible evidence to support such a claim. "There is no scientific evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines cause cancer," said Dr. Peter Bach, a medical oncologist and director of the Center for Health Policy and Outcomes at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. "The overwhelming evidence from numerous studies and data analyses confirms that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective." Risch's appointment has also raised concerns about his ties to a company that sells ivermectin, an anti-parasitic medication that has been promoted as a treatment for cancer. Risch has written reviews that claim ivermectin has efficacy as a cancer treatment, although there is no credible evidence to support this claim. "Ivermectin is not a cancer treatment, and its use for this purpose is not supported by scientific evidence," said Dr. Otis Brawley, a medical oncologist and former chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. Risch's appointment to the President's Cancer Panel is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to shape the country's cancer research agenda. The National Cancer Program, which Risch will oversee, is a comprehensive effort to reduce the burden of cancer in the United States. The program involves a range of activities, including research, education, and outreach. The appointment of Risch to the President's Cancer Panel has sparked controversy within the scientific community, with many experts expressing concerns about his views on vaccines and cancer. "The President's Cancer Panel should be composed of experts who are committed to evidence-based decision-making," said Dr. Richard Klausner, a medical oncologist and former director of the National Cancer Institute. "Risch's appointment undermines the credibility of the panel and raises concerns about the Trump administration's commitment to science-based policy." The White House, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Cancer Panel, and Risch did not respond to requests for comment.