Cancer prevention and control

Cancer is one of the most common causes of death, with nearly 7 million deaths each year worldwide. Right now 24.6 million people are living with cancer, and by 2020 it is projected that there will be 16 million new cancer cases and 10 million cancer deaths every year.

In order to address the rising health crisis, this WHA resolution gives special emphasis to the development and reinforcement of comprehensive national cancer control programmes that include prevention, early detection, improved treatment and palliative care, particularly for low- and middle-income countries.

To strengthen WHO's response to the cancer epidemic, a cancer control advisory committee to the Director-General, consisting of high-profile experts in international public health and cancer control, has recently been established.

WHO Secretariat Report: Cancer Prevention and Control

• Report by the Secretariat document A58/16 [pdf 138kb]

Related links

• Press release: the 58th World Health Assembly adopts resolution on cancer prevention and control
• Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion (CHP)
• Health topics: cancer
• WHO cancer control strategy

Publications

• Other WHO publications on cancer