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Research

Students writing about cancer, and being judged on it.

The CARE Review Paper Competition gives high schoolers a real prompt, a deadline and a panel. Two editions so far, with the winning papers published here.

Seven students sitting together on a bench during a visit to a cancer center

Review paper competition

Two editions, published in full.

A student standing between two hospital staff members outside a cancer center

First edition

Cervical cancer: obstacles, ethics and new research.

Ten papers on the barriers to eliminating cervical cancer, the ethics of access to prevention and care, and the research that could change early detection and treatment. First place went to Angela Choi.

Read the winning paper
Students seated in an auditorium listening to a guest speaker

Second edition

Four prompts on treatment, ethics, research and risk.

Teams of one to three students chose one of four prompts, from the ethics of treatment availability to the risk factors and disparities behind who gets cancer. Ten placements were awarded; first place went to Anna Chen and Sanai Purkait.

See the placements

How it works

Pick a prompt. Write. Submit.

Open to high school students anywhere. No prior research experience needed.

  1. 1

    Choose a prompt

    Each edition publishes two to four prompts on a cancer topic. You pick one.

  2. 2

    Write a review paper

    A review paper summarizes and weighs existing research. Teams of up to three are welcome.

  3. 3

    Get judged and placed

    Papers are read by a CARE panel. Winners are announced on this site and the first-place paper is published.

2026 · Third edition

Coming soon. Dates, prompts and how to submit will be posted here.

Until then, questions about the competition go to the contact page.

Also in 2025

Cancer Awareness & Action Challenge

Hosted with the High School Health Research Forum: high schoolers proposed one practical, evidence-based solution to a problem in cancer prevention, access to care, education or policy. Semifinalists were recognized and the winner received a cash award. Submissions are closed, and details for 2026 are coming soon.

Challenge guidelines at hshrf.org

Beyond the paper

Research is one of three things a chapter does.

Chapters also visit cancer centers, host researchers and clinicians, and raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Start a BranchWhat chapters do
Students at a classroom table cutting colored paper to make cards for patients