Dr. Harvey Risch Named Chairman of the President’s Cancer Panel

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has officially appointed Harvey Risch, M.D., Ph.D., as the new chairman of the President’s Cancer Panel, a high-profile advisory group responsible for monitoring and reporting on the National Cancer Program’s progress to the president. The panel was first established under the National Cancer Act of 1971 to coordinate research and policy in the national fight against cancer. HHS

A Career in Cancer Research

Dr. Risch is a Professor Emeritus and Senior Research Scientist in Epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine, where his work has focused on cancer etiology, prevention, early diagnosis, and epidemiologic methods. Over his career, he has authored more than 400 peer-reviewed scientific papers cited tens of thousands of times, studying cancers such as ovarian, pancreatic, lung, bladder, esophageal, and stomach cancers, including research on reproductive and environmental risk factors. HHS+1

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised Risch’s appointment, saying he will accelerate American innovations in cancer prevention and enhance public awareness of factors that influence cancer development. NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya also highlighted Risch’s background in epidemiology as an asset to advancing understanding in cancer prevention. HHS

Official Role and Mission

As chairman of the President’s Cancer Panel, Risch will oversee a three-member group tasked with:

• Tracking and assessing the implementation of the National Cancer Program,

• Reporting to the president on national progress and opportunities for improvement, and

• Making recommendations on research priorities, policy approaches, and public health strategies to reduce cancer incidence and mortality. HHS

The panel’s mandate is advisory, but its reports have historically influenced federal research funding, policy objectives, and national cancer control strategies.

Praise and Support

Supporters of the appointment argue that Risch’s deep experience in epidemiology and longstanding research focus on cancer risk factors and prevention can bring valuable insights to national cancer initiatives. Advocates say his leadership could help pivot federal efforts toward more effective prevention, more public education about cancer-related exposures, and innovative strategies to reduce cancer burdens nationwide. HHS

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) echoed this perspective, noting that Risch’s knowledge and leadership may help reduce cancer rates and improve national health outcomes. HHS

Controversial Background Draws Scrutiny

Despite his academic credentials in cancer research, Dr. Risch has become a controversial figure in public health circles due to his past positions on other medical issues. Notably:

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, he publicly advocated for hydroxychloroquine as an early treatment for COVID-19 — a stance that mainstream health authorities including the FDA and NIH found unsupported by conclusive evidence. Yale School of Public Health+1

• More recently, he has speculated about a possible link between COVID-19 vaccines and aggressive “turbo cancer” in young adults, despite no clinical evidence supporting such a connection and strong rebuttals from oncologists and cancer research authorities. Wired

These positions have drawn criticism from some medical experts who worry that Risch’s previous promotion of unproven treatments and controversial theories could complicate scientific consensus on cancer policy and research priorities at the national level. Critics argue that such speculation risks undermining trust in established cancer research institutions and evidence-based public health guidance. Wired

What This Means for U.S. Cancer Policy

Risch’s appointment highlights a broader shift in the federal approach to public health leadership under the Trump administration, one that emphasizes open inquiry and controversial viewpoints alongside traditional scientific expertise. While supporters celebrate the potential for fresh perspectives on cancer prevention, detractors fear that blending unorthodox health views with national policy advisory roles may invite confusion or conflict within scientific communities.

As he steps into his new role, Risch is expected to shape how the President’s Cancer Panel frames cancer-related challenges and policy solutions — from scientific research priorities to public education efforts — at a time when cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States. HHS