Earlier Diagnosis and Cancer Prevention
Stage at diagnosis shapes outcome more than almost any other single factor. We work on screening uptake, referral pathways, risk identification and the prevention that is already within reach.
World NCD Action Forum · Our Work
Oncology
Oncology
Stream.
Closing gaps in cancer prevention, early diagnosis, equitable treatment and continuity of care.
The challenge
The challenge in this stream.
20 millionnew cancer cases were diagnosed in a single yearIARC GLOBOCAN (2022)
9.7 millionpeople died from cancer in a single yearIARC GLOBOCAN (2022)
More than 1 in 3cancer cases are linked to risks that can be changedWHO and IARC analysis, Nature Medicine
Cancer outcomes vary more by geography and circumstance than almost any other area of medicine. Survival for the same cancer, diagnosed at the same stage, can differ substantially between countries, and between populations within a single country.
Oncology has advanced quickly. Targeted therapy, immunotherapy, molecular diagnostics, more precise radiotherapy and better early detection have changed what is possible for many cancers. Much of that progress depends on infrastructure around it: pathology and molecular testing, imaging, radiotherapy capacity, trained specialists and reliable supply. Where that infrastructure is thin, the advance exists but cannot be used.
Stage at diagnosis remains one of the strongest determinants of outcome. Where screening and referral pathways are well established, more cancers are found early. Where those pathways are still developing, people more often present later, when options are narrower and costs are higher for everyone.
The advanceThe patient
Our priorities
Where we focus our action.
Equitable Access to Cancer Care
Access to treatment, and to the diagnostics that indicate which treatment is most suitable for an individual patient. Pathology, molecular and biomarker testing, imaging and radiotherapy capacity sit alongside medicines in this priority. As oncology moves further towards individualised therapy, the diagnostic increasingly determines what is possible.
Care Pathways and Continuity of Cancer Care
From first presentation through to survivorship. Time from suspicion to treatment, coordination between the services a patient passes through, and the care that continues once treatment ends.
Capability and Leadership Development
Building the oncology workforce and the leadership that a growing cancer burden calls for, particularly where specialist capacity is limited.
Leadership
Stream leadership.
One Chair leads the stream. Profiles will be updated as appointments are confirmed.
Stream Chair
Coming soon
The Chair will be announced shortly
What we are working on
Initiatives and activities.
Projects will be added here when approved and confirmed.
Outputs
Evidence, tools and outcomes.
Verified publications, reports, evidence reviews and implementation resources will appear here as they become available.
Abstracts
Conference abstracts from stream work
To be addedPosters
Scientific posters presented at congresses
To be addedJournal Articles
Peer-reviewed publications
To be addedVideos
Talks, interviews and session recordings
To be addedGuidelines
Consensus statements and practice guidance
To be addedSlides
Presentation decks for education and advocacy
To be addedPartners in this stream
Collaborating for progress.
Organisations and institutional partners will be featured here following confirmation and permission to publish.
Let's turn advances into action.
If your organisation is working on earlier diagnosis, access to cancer care, care pathways or oncology capability, we would like to hear from you.
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