About the National Cancer Plan

We know that our continued progress against cancer is the direct result of advances made possible by investment from federal, state, and local governments, along with private investment, and by the sustained efforts of researchers around the world and millions of people with cancer, their caregivers, and advocates.

Building on these tremendous efforts and to realize the vision laid out by President Biden and First Lady Biden as part of the Cancer Moonshot℠, the National Cancer Plan provides a framework for everyone—across the federal government and all of society—to collaborate in ending cancer as we know it.

What’s in the National Cancer Plan?

The plan has three elements:

• Eight goals that we must achieve to prevent cancer, reduce deaths from cancer, and ensure the best possible quality of life for people living with cancer
• A set of strategies associated with each goal, describing essential research and other activities needed to maximize benefits for everyone
• A call to action that is also at the center of the Cancer Moonshot: that everyone—every organization and individual—do their part to help end cancer as we know it

Importantly, this plan is a living document that will evolve over time as research continues, advances are made, and lessons are learned across the cancer care community.

How does the National Cancer Plan relate to the Cancer Moonshot?

The plan outlines goals designed to support the aims of the Cancer Moonshot and provides a framework for ways to meaningfully contribute to achieving these goals. Projects currently under way as part of Cancer Moonshot are featured through the plan and connected to other cancer research efforts.

The plan considers the entire landscape of cancer in the United States and is a foundational effort to align the cancer research and care community in the fight against cancer. Just as the White House has invited people far and wide to share their stories and actions, so too will the National Cancer Institute (NCI) be calling on everyone to share what they are doing to meet the goals of the National Cancer Plan.

Why is now a good time for the National Cancer Plan?

The National Cancer Act of 1971 gave broad authority to the director of NCI to develop a National Cancer Program to include NCI, other components of the National Institutes of Health, and other federal and nonfederal cancer programs. More than 50 years later, this program has come to represent a far more complex ecosystem of people from across the cancer community working to create a world where cancer does not significantly impact someone’s life.

NCI stands ready to collaborate across the federal government and beyond to accomplish more together than we can separately. With unprecedented scientific opportunities, passion, and commitment from diverse areas of our society, the time is right for a comprehensive National Cancer Plan to advance the National Cancer Program and demonstrate international leadership in meeting the global challenge to reduce the impact of cancer.