A Convergence in Support of National Cancer Control Plans

In conjunction with the recent World Cancer Leaders’ Summit, there was a convergence of several positive factors, which in my opinion will result in a shared global vision for national level cancer control efforts.

The International Cancer Control Partnership (ICCP) met on November 16, to strategise about the partnership’s future. The ICCP is the first, and I think the central, critical factor in this convergence. Formed in 2012, the ICCP is a partnership of international organisations coming together to coordinate efforts and work towards the goal of all countries establishing and implementing a national cancer control plan (NCCP) aligned with the global non-communicable disease (NCD) control efforts.

National cancer control plans for strengthened health systems

The ICCP provides leadership, expertise and guidance to national cancer planning stakeholders and decision-makers in their efforts to develop, implement and evaluate data-driven, stakeholder-informed country level national cancer control plans that contribute to strengthening health service delivery and the broader health system. The vision of the ICCP is that:

“All countries have and are implementing a resource-appropriate national cancer control plan (NCCP) that provides a framework for sustainable and equitable delivery and scale-up of population- and evidence-based, cost-effective and people-centred cancer prevention and control programmes which are integrated with NCD efforts to achieve a 25% relative reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2025.”

Driving national action from global commitment

The second critical factor in this convergence is the adoption of the Cancer Resolution ‘Cancer prevention and control in the context of an integrated approach’ (WHA 70.12) at the 70th Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland in May 2017. During the discussion, Member States overwhelmingly expressed their support for national cancer control efforts, with a number of countries calling for increased international guidance and assistance on the development and implementation of cancer control plans.

The 2017 cancer resolution aligns with both the globally agreed-upon NCD targets and action plan, and the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). These global initiatives are the final critical factors for this convergence – all leading toward national cancer control plans that are evidence-based, stakeholder-informed and actionable.

Which brings us back to 16 November…

For the first time, the ICCP has established a 5-year strategic plan with goals, measureable objectives and key strategies the ICCP will take to fulfill its mission. The convergence of the critical factors above has created a unique opportunity for ICCP to leverage the power of its partners to:

• Increase global support, political will and country resources for the development and implementation of NCCPs
• Provide guidance to countries as they strengthen their capacity to deliver and evaluate NCCPs
• Be a credible source of guidance and leadership in national cancer control planning

I invite you to join in to make this opportunity a reality, by working with the ICCP as priorities from the strategic plan are implemented – stay in touch on the ICCP portal and access the resources you need to develop, implement and evaluate your national cancer control plan, and lead the effort in your country and region to make NCCPs a critical factor in improving global health outcomes. You are also welcome to contact the Partnership via email.