The Norwegian Cancer Society (NCS) is a nation-wide, non-profit voluntary organisation. It works to reduce the incidence of cancer, and to increase the recovery rate and life quality of cancer sufferers.
Main activities include:
- Patient services – funding of patients’ organisations
- Research – allocating funding for basic research, epidemiological surveys, clinical, patient and prevention studies
- Prevention – educational and awareness raising programs focused on smoking, nutrition, skin cancer, etc.
- Advocacy – influencing national and international social/health policy
- International activities – support for global cancer control programs and research

With no state funding, NCS relies on the generosity and support of 140,000 members and permanent donors, partner organisations and the general public to carry out our work.

NCS aims to be highly visible and easily approachable, and this is reflected in the way we are organized centrally and locally. Three central departments; the Department of Cancer Concerns, the Communications and Fund-raising Department and the Administration and Finance Department allow NCS to work effectively at international, national and local levels.

The Cancer Society has seven district branches providing services to patients, relatives and professional people throughout the country. These branches are situated in Tromsø, Trondheim, Bergen, Kristiansand, Tønsberg, Hamar and Oslo. The branch offices are staffed by health and social welfare professionals who provide information and cancer counseling to individuals, families and groups. All services are confidential. Courses for patients and relatives, of all ages, and all stages of cancer, are also available free of charge.

NCS also cooperates with and funds eight voluntary patients’ associations nationwide. They provide patient care, recreation and information services to their members and play a key role in influencing local authorities and health personnel.

Since 1962, NCS has been full UICC member.