The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a preeminent alliance of leading cancer centers in the United States known for its rigorously developed evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, is taking a pivotal step on the global stage by participating in the inaugural Cancer Planners Forum held in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 14 through 16, 2025. This landmark event represents an unprecedented collaborative effort aimed at bolstering national cancer control planning across diverse healthcare systems worldwide.
At the core of NCCN’s mission is the unwavering commitment to improving access to high-quality, patient-centered oncology care globally. Dr. Crystal S. Denlinger, CEO of NCCN, emphasized that the organization’s sponsorship and active engagement in the forum reinforce their dedication to international partnerships that leverage the best available scientific evidence to optimize cancer control strategies in every country and region. This approach is critical as the global burden of cancer continues to rise, necessitating well-structured national plans informed by empirical research.
The Cancer Planners Forum, orchestrated by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), brings together a constellation of global health leaders and experts for the first time to specifically address the complexities inherent in developing, funding, and implementing National Cancer Control Plans (NCCPs). With strategic support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the International Cancer Control Partnership (ICCP), the forum aims to unify multisectoral efforts in cancer care policies.
A recently published comprehensive study in Lancet Oncology scrutinized 98 NCCPs and 58 non-communicable disease plans across a spectrum of countries varying in economic resources. This extensive review, involving over 70 global cancer experts including representatives from NCCN, underscored significant progress in formulating national cancer strategies. However, it also highlighted persistent systemic deficiencies such as inadequate funding, limited access to diagnostics and treatments, and fragmented integration of evidence-driven interventions within these programs.
To address these persistent gaps, the Cancer Planners Forum is fostering an environment of intensive knowledge exchange and capacity building. It reinforces data-driven decision-making as an indispensable component for the design and execution of comprehensive cancer control. By focusing on best practices and promoting the utilization of cancer registries, the forum provides a platform for stakeholders to align national cancer strategies with international health priorities.
One of the significant thematic pillars of the forum is to elucidate the compelling economic rationale for investing in national cancer control. The high morbidity and mortality burden from cancer imposes substantial societal and economic costs. Strategic allocation of resources to prevention, early detection, and effective treatment interventions can substantially improve health outcomes and reduce long-term healthcare expenditures. This investment case is vital for policymakers to prioritize and secure sustainable funding.
In addition, the forum spotlights the role of legislation and health policy in shaping cancer control efforts. Regulatory frameworks that support equitable access to innovative technologies, protect against discriminatory practices, and promote health system strengthening are critical determinants for successful implementation of NCCPs. Discussions at the forum emphasize the importance of integrating legal and policy perspectives into cancer control planning.
The NCCN’s Global Program exemplifies a model of international collaboration by engaging local and regional experts to adapt and tailor cancer guidelines to specific population needs. Nearly half of the two million users of the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology reside outside the United States, spanning over 190 countries. This global reach showcases the adaptability and relevance of NCCN’s resources in diverse clinical settings and health system environments.
In striving to bridge disparities in cancer care, the NCCN promotes resource-stratified frameworks that enable countries with varying levels of infrastructure and economic capacity to implement evidence-based guidelines effectively. These frameworks adapt clinical recommendations to available resources, balancing ideal care with practical realities to maximize patient outcomes worldwide.
Moreover, the NCCN facilitates translations and culturally sensitive adaptations of its guidelines and educational materials for both clinicians and patients, thereby democratizing access to critical cancer care information. This effort improves patient empowerment, supports informed decision-making, and strengthens the healthcare provider-patient partnership on a multinational scale.
This forum unfolds in a crucial year marked by heightened global focus on non-communicable diseases within the world health agenda. Key forthcoming events such as the World Health Assembly and the Fourth High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on NCD prevention galvanize the momentum toward achieving Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals. Insights and strategies generated during the Cancer Planners Forum are expected to inform and influence member state policies at these high-profile meetings.
The NCCN’s participation and sponsorship underscore its leadership role not only as a developer of authoritative clinical guidelines but also as a global partner in cancer control policy, education, and advocacy. By sharing expertise and fostering international networks, NCCN contributes substantially to the global vision of equitable, efficient, and effective cancer care accessible to all populations.
All of NCCN’s comprehensive cancer resources, including their Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology and patient guides, remain freely accessible via NCCN.org and the Virtual Library of NCCN Guidelines App. These resources empower clinicians and patients worldwide with cutting-edge, evidence-based cancer care knowledge, reinforcing NCCN’s commitment to global health advancement.
This inaugural Cancer Planners Forum signifies a transformative moment in the global fight against cancer, binding together international agencies, healthcare leaders, and policy makers with a unified goal: to eradicate barriers and optimize comprehensive cancer control plans through science-driven collaboration and policy innovation.
Subject of Research: National Cancer Control Plans and Global Cancer Care Strategies
Article Title: NCCN Joins Inaugural Global Cancer Planners Forum to Transform National Cancer Control Planning
News Publication Date: May 14, 2025
Web References:
- https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-process/about-nccn-clinical-practice-guidelines
- https://www.uicc.org/
- https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/national-cancer-control-programmes
- https://www.iarc.who.int/
- https://www.iaea.org/
- https://www.iccp-portal.org/
- https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(24)00405-4/abstract
- https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/category_1
- https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/nccn-mobile-app
- https://www.nccn.org/global/what-we-do
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer Control, National Cancer Control Plans, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines, Global Health, Cancer Policy, Health Disparities, Evidence-Based Oncology, Non-Communicable Diseases, Universal Health Coverage, Health Systems, Cancer Registries
