The World Health Organization (WHO) Academy has launched a new global course on National Cancer Control Planning, aimed at strengthening countries’ capacity to prevent, treat and manage cancer.
The initiative is expected to significantly benefit overstretched health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Launched in December 2025, the course targets programme managers involved in cancer policy and strategic planning at national and sub-national levels. These include policymakers, technical experts, funders and civil society partners.
It is designed to equip participants with practical skills to develop evidence-based, costed and implementable national cancer control plans (NCCPs) that are aligned with broader health sector priorities.
According to the WHO, cancer remains a growing public health burden worldwide. However, a global review of NCCPs shows that while about 80% of countries have developed such plans, major weaknesses persist in their quality and implementation.
Only 30% of existing plans adequately incorporate prevention strategies, fewer than half include clear and measurable objectives, and nearly three-quarters are not backed by funding. These gaps undermine service delivery and slow progress in reducing cancer-related deaths and improving patient outcomes.
The WHO said the new course directly addresses these shortcomings by strengthening leadership, governance and technical capacity among those responsible for cancer planning.
Alarcos Cieza, Unit Head for the Management of Noncommunicable Diseases at WHO headquarters, said the training emphasises integrating cancer control into broader ministerial health strategies, helping countries avoid fragmented approaches and maximise limited resources.
“Strong national cancer control plans are essential for preventing cancer, addressing treatment needs and improving the well-being of people affected by cancer,” Cieza said.
“This WHO Academy course equips programme managers with the practical skills needed to develop evidence-based, costed and implementable plans aligned with broader health system priorities.”
The course also introduces participants to the core principles of cancer control and key WHO-led global initiatives. These include programmes on breast, cervical and childhood cancers, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Rays of Hope initiative, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s Global Initiative on Cancer Registries.