Global health leaders unveil 10-year plan to cut cancer deaths by 25%

Bridging Divides to Beat Cancer: A Global 10-Year Mission

In a bold and unprecedented move, global health leaders have unveiled a sweeping 10-year strategy aimed at reducing global cancer deaths by 25% and ensuring that 60% of cases are detected early by 2035.

This initiative, encapsulated in the forthcoming World Cancer Declaration 2025–2035, was announced by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) during a virtual press briefing and will be formally launched at the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit in Melbourne, Australia, from November 18 to 20.

The summit, themed “Bridging Divides, Building Futures,” is set to convene over 400 experts and policymakers from more than 80 countries. Hosted by Cancer Council Victoria and co-organized with the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance,

Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium, and the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer, the event enjoys backing from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

At the heart of the declaration lies the “5×5×5 by 2035” framework, five global targets, five domains for national action, and five guiding principles rooted in equity, evidence, collaboration, sustainability, and accountability.

UICC President Ulrika Årehed Kågström emphasized the urgency of closing the gap between proven interventions and their actual implementation, especially in communities historically deprived of timely, quality cancer care.

The roadmap calls on governments to fortify national cancer control programs, enhance cancer registries, promote early detection and screening, and expand access to essential medicines and palliative care. It also advocates for robust public education to combat stigma and foster healthier lifestyles.

These efforts are particularly critical given IARC’s sobering statistics: nearly 20 million new cancer cases and 10 million deaths were recorded globally in 2022, with projections suggesting a surge to 30.5 million cases and 18.6 million deaths annually by 2050, most of which will occur in low- and middle-income countries.

Dr. Elisabete Weiderpass, Director of IARC, praised the declaration as a science-based and adaptable tool to help nations address disparities in cancer care. The summit will feature health ministers from Brunei, Egypt, Tonga, and Australia’s Victoria State, alongside senior officials from WHO, IARC, and IAEA.

Notable participants include Dato’ Dr. Saunthari Somasundaram of Malaysia, Belinda Chan of Fiji, and Professor Eric Bouffet of Canada.

Todd Harper, CEO of Cancer Council Victoria, described the summit as a vital platform to transform global commitments into tangible improvements for patients and families.

The 2025 edition will also explore how artificial intelligence, health financing, gender equality, and culturally sensitive services can enhance cancer outcomes, especially in underserved communities.

The World Cancer Declaration 2025–2035 marks a significant pivot toward measurable, equity-driven progress in global cancer control. It is a clarion call for collective leadership and sustained political will, aiming to turn ambitious promises into life-saving realities by 2035.