Controlling cancer

To address this growing burden and achieve targets for premature mortality reduction from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) set out in the WHO Global action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs 2013–2020 and achieve target 3.4 of the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals effective programmes in comprehensive cancer control are needed.

The key mission of WHO’s work in cancer control is to promote national cancer control policies, plans and programmes that are harmonized with strategies for NCDs and other related health concerns. Our core functions are to set norms and standards for cancer control including the development of evidence-based prevention, early diagnosis, screening, treatment, and palliative and survivorship care programmes, as well as, to promote monitoring and evaluation through cancer registries and research that are tailored to the local disease burden and available resources.