Cancer control planning

Cancer control planning is essential because it provides a structured, evidence‑based framework for coordinating all stages of cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care. By developing a formal National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP), countries can:

• Ensure strategic, efficient action on cancer, aligning investments and policies with the greatest population needs. Comprehensive planning is a prerequisite for effective and efficient health interventions at national level.
• Identify and prioritise resource allocation, including workforce training, infrastructure, and financing, ensuring that interventions are tailored to local epidemiology ― the types of cancer most prevalent, mortality rates, and key risk factors.
• Bridge critical gaps across the cancer continuum — from prevention (tobacco control, vaccination) to timely treatment and survivorship — improving outcomes and quality of life while reducing disparities.

UICC focuses on cancer control planning because it drives global impact. UICC is a founding partner of the International Cancer Control Partnership (ICCP), and through the partnership, collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO), African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US National Cancer Institute (NCI), and others to support countries in developing, reviewing, and updating NCCPs through technical assistance, regional guidance, and the ICCP portal resources.

Reviews of NCCPs are carried out in partnership with the ICCP using a structured questionnaire (Oar et al. 2019), which was also applied in the global review of NCCPs conducted in 2018 (Romero, Trapani et al. 2018) and 2025.

UICC also organises the Cancer Planners Forum, a unique platform that brings together professionals engaged in cancer control strategies worldwide. This forum fosters knowledge exchange, collaboration, and practical solutions to strengthen cancer planning efforts, ensuring that countries can implement effective, sustainable programmes. Learn more about the Cancer Planners Forum here.

By championing cancer control planning, UICC helps ensure that governments have strong, resourced, and coherent plans—transforming evidence into action to reduce cancer burden worldwide. 

For more information on national cancer control planning technical assistance please refer to the ICCP portal.

Additionally, UICC works with WHO to promote inclusion of cancer services in Universal Health Care (UHC) strategies, advocating for equitable access and sustainable financing at the national level.

Read the most recent review by UICC and ICCP of national cancer control planning around the world