Global health leaders are set to unveil a major initiative aimed at reducing global cancer deaths by 25 per cent and ensuring that 60 per cent of cancer cases are detected early by 2035.
The strategy, part of the upcoming World Cancer Declaration 2025–2035, was announced by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) during a virtual press briefing on Thursday. The declaration will be formally launched at the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit from November 18 to 20 in Melbourne, Australia.
Hosted by Cancer Council Victoria, the summit will bring together over 400 experts and policymakers from more than 80 countries under the theme “Bridging Divides, Building Futures,” focusing on cancer prevention, treatment, and research. The event is co-hosted by the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) Alliance, Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium, and the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
UICC President Ulrika Årehed Kågström outlined the “5×5×5 by 2035” framework, comprising five global targets, five domains for national action, and five guiding principles rooted in equity, evidence, collaboration, sustainability, and accountability.
“It’s about closing the gap between what we know works and what is actually being delivered—especially for communities long denied access to timely, quality cancer care,” Kågström said.
The roadmap calls for governments to strengthen national cancer control programmes, improve cancer registries, promote early detection and screening, and increase access to essential medicines and palliative care. It also emphasises public education to reduce stigma and encourage healthier lifestyles.
According to IARC, nearly 20 million new cancer cases were reported worldwide in 2022, resulting in about 10 million deaths. Without stronger interventions, these numbers could rise to 30.5 million cases and 18.6 million deaths annually by 2050, primarily in low- and middle-income countries.
Kågström stressed that achieving these goals requires “collective leadership and sustained political will across all sectors and regions.” IARC Director Dr. Elisabete Weiderpass noted that the declaration offers a science-based, adaptable framework to help countries tackle disparities in cancer care.
Speakers at the summit include health ministers from Brunei, Egypt, Tonga, and Victoria State in Australia, as well as senior officials from WHO, IARC, and IAEA. Other participants include experts from Malaysia, Fiji, and Canada.
Todd Harper, CEO of Cancer Council Victoria, said the biennial summit provides a crucial forum to turn “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 outcomes, particularly for underserved communities.
The World Cancer Declaration 2025–2035 represents a major push toward measurable, equity-driven progress in global cancer control, aiming to translate ambitious promises into concrete action by 2035.
