Harvard researcher Joan Brugge aims to prevent breast cancer by targeting mutated cells early, but lost NIH funding over unrelated disputes, threatening her lab and U.S. research.

Harvard cancer researcher Joan Brugge said her team’s research aims to prevent breast cancer by targeting cells with genetic mutations before they become cancerous, potentially stopping the disease before it develops. Speaking on "60 Minutes," she emphasized the goal of early intervention to spare future generations, though specific methods, timelines, or clinical stages were not disclosed. Her work, part of broader efforts to shift cancer care from treatment to prevention, faces challenges as two NIH grants were terminated over unrelated policy disputes, prompting concerns about funding and academic freedom. Brugge called the cancellations an existential threat to her lab and warned of broader risks to U.S. scientific research.