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National Cancer Plan Goals

Learn more about how you can get involved.

The National Cancer Plan focuses on eight goals aimed at changing how we know cancer today.

The plan includes a description of the status of each goal, as well as focused strategies to make further progress. Some strategies are about taking action in biomedical research, and others relate to public health, health care delivery, costs of care, and public policy.

From researching new cancer vaccines to supporting programs that promote healthy communities to helping create a diverse cancer workforce and more, every individual has a role to play. We encourage everyone involved in our nation’s fight against cancer to reflect on these goals and strategies and determine where to focus their efforts.

Explore each goal using the links below or read the full National Cancer Plan.

  • A purple, circular icon with a photo of an elderly man and woman in activewear, walking and laughing together. Above them are the words Prevent Cancer.

    Prevent Cancer

    All people and society adopt proven strategies that reduce the risk of cancer.

  • A teal green, circular icon with a photo of a health care professional standing behind a woman, who she is helping position at a mammogram machine. Above them are the words Detect Cancers Early.

    Detect Cancers Early

    Cancers are detected and treated at early stages, enabling more effective treatment and reducing morbidity and mortality.

  • A yellow, circular icon with a photo of a woman in a lab coat, clear safety goggles, and gloves looking to a microscope. Above her are the words Develop Effective Treatments.

    Develop Effective Treatments

    Effective treatment, with minimal side effects, is accessible to all people with all cancers, including those with rare cancers, metastatic cancers, and treatment-resistant disease.

  • A reddish brown, circular icon with a photo of a woman in a hijab and a child. The woman looks at the child and the child looks at a health care professional. Above them are the words Eliminate Inequities.

    Eliminate Inequities

    Disparities in cancer risk factors, incidence, treatment side effects, and mortality are eliminated through equitable access to prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship care.

  • A purple, circular icon with a photo of a health care professional in a lab coat talking to an elderly woman with white hair, glasses, and a sweater. Above them are the words Deliver Optimal Care.

    Deliver Optimal Care

    The health care system delivers to all people evidence-based, patient-centered care that prioritizes prevention, reduces cancer morbidity and mortality, and improves the lives of cancer survivors, including people living with cancer.

  • A teal green, circular icon with a photo of a talking with her hands and smiling at a conference table, while a bearded man in glasses, shirt, and tie looks at her. Above them are the words Engage Every Person.

    Engage Every Person

    Every person with cancer or at risk for cancer has an opportunity to participate in research or otherwise contribute to the collective knowledge base, and barriers to their participation are eliminated.

  • A yellow, circular icon with a photo of two women looking over notes. Above them are the words Maximize Data Utility.

    Maximize Data Utility

    Secure sharing of privacy-protected health data is standard practice throughout research, and researchers share and use available data to achieve rapid progress against cancer.

  • A reddish brown, circular icon with a photo of a three health care professionals in a group. Above them are the words Optimize the Workforce.

    Optimize the Workforce

    The cancer care and research workforce is diverse, reflects the communities served, and meets the needs of all people with cancer and those at risk for cancer, ensuring they live longer and healthier lives.

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