SEATTLE -- The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center says that it is due receive $16 million in federal stimulus funds in the next two years.

The funds will help cancer researchers analyze diagnostic tests and treatment to help patients figure out their best choices.

"It's about bringing the translation of exciting developments in medicine to the bedside," said Larry Kessler, Sc.D. of University of Washington's School of Public Health.

The center says the stimulus money will also improve the health of the local economy as it will retain and create about 920 jobs.

The $16 million will go toward four different projects: genetic testing at the Fred Hutch and UW, the effectiveness of diagnostic tests at UW, and research at Group Health on breast cancer imaging techniques and screening for cervical and colorectal cancers.

"Our research on this is going to be looking for which tests are the best for which people," said Dr. Diana Buist of the Group Health Research Institute.

The federal grants work to help many collaborations between Group Health, UW and the Fred Hutchinson Center, as well as with the Veterans Administration, Premera, Regence, Medicare and other local healthcare providers.