WHO Launches New Course for Cancer Control Planning

Illustration of cancer (Pexels/Anna Tarazevich)

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a new course to support cancer control worldwide. The course is the National Cancer Control Planning for Programme Managers/ NCCP (National Cancer Control Planning for Programme Managers).

Quoted from the WHO official website, on Monday, December 22, 2025, the course is intended for those involved in cancer strategic planning at the national and sub-national levels. This includes policymakers, technical experts, funders, and civil society partners among other stakeholders.

The course will provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed for effective leadership and governance to formulate national cancer control plans, which are evidence-based, context-specific, and feasible to implement.

Head of the Unit, the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) and Mental Health Management Unit of WHO, Alarcos Cieza, said that this course is expected to address the need for care and maintain the well-being of cancer patients in the future.

"This WHO Academy course equips program managers with the practical skills needed to develop evidence-based, cost-effective, and implementable plans that are aligned with broader health system priorities," said Cieza.

The background for the formation of the course is a global review of cancer treatment. Although 80 percent of countries have developed cancer treatment programs, significant gaps remain.

Only 30 percent incorporate prevention strategies, 48 percent with specific goals, and three quarters are not funded. This gap affects cancer services, thwarting progress in reducing the cancer burden and thwarting improvements in the quality of life of cancer patients.

With this new course, participants will be introduced to the concept of cancer control and WHO's global initiatives on breast, cervical, and childhood cancers. After completing the course, participants will be able to implement some of these things.

- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific principles and core components of NCCP. - Develop stakeholder competencies, and capacity in strategic coordination. - Share best practices and create a community of practice to support cancer burden reduction and improved quality of life for cancer patients.