Uniting Organizations
Inequities in cancer control exist in every country. Global cancer communities are working toward closing the gap in their respective countries and regions.
The cancer community is united behind the common goal of advancing health equity in cancer control. Equity is at the forefront of the global cancer community’s efforts to work toward a world where we can greatly reduce the risk of cancer and ensure that those who have cancer have access to quality treatment and care.
“A single bracelet does not jingle.”
The global cancer community – including the United Nations, the World Health Organization, Ministries of Health, national cancer institutes, cancer societies, research and treatment centers, academia, patient support groups, appropriate private sector and survivors at the local, national and global levels – is taking steps to advance health equity in cancer control in their settings (Figure 43.1; Figure 43.2).
A global network of cancer organizations, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) membership worldwide (over 1180 members in 174 countries) in 2025
“Global health challenges demand global solutions—uniting organizations worldwide is not an option but a necessity for a healthier future.”
Events organized by UICC to convene stakeholders within and beyond the cancer community to advance health equity
This high-level policy meeting is an opportunity to reach key decision-makers, and identify new and innovative solutions with thought-leaders in the cancer field.
The biennial World Cancer Congress provides a forum for cancer control experts, practitioners, and advocates to share best practice and the latest advances in cancer control.
World Cancer Day (February 4) unites the entire world in the global fight against cancer, raising general awareness around the disease.
Examples of key actions to close the cancer care gap include (Figure 43.3): increasing funding for cancer research to understand the main disparities in cancer outcomes and the barriers that prevent certain populations from accessing care; developing and implementing an effective national cancer-control strategy (see Cancer Continuum); incorporating comprehensive cancer services into national health benefit packages to achieve universal health coverage (see Universal Health Care); implementing vaccination and screening programs for common cancers and ensuring that access to these is available and affordable (see Vaccination and Early Detection); and addressing the commercial and social determinants of health that impede an individual’s ability to access cancer care (see Health Promotion).
Initiatives and organizations working towards advancing health equity in cancer control
The Access to Oncology Medicines Coalition (ATOM Coalition)
A global initiative, led by UICC, in collaboration with over 40 partners across the private and civil society sectors. ATOM aims to address the barriers to availability, affordability and appropriate use of oncology medicines in low- and lower-middle income countries.
The McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer
Building capacity for the effective use of law in cancer control so that people affected by cancer have equitable access to treatment and care by training government lawyers and policymakers across the globe through their courses (including online)
NCD Alliance
Uniting over 2,000 civil society organizations to raise the profile of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as a development priority.