"Close the care gap" is the theme for the new three-year campaign, which is led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). The mission of UICC is to promote greater equity in healthcare for all populations.

The World Health Organization previously announced a global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as part of its World Cancer Day activities. According to UICC, the five-year survival rate for cervical cancer is 71% for white women in the U.S. but only 58% for Black women. More than 90% of cervical cancer mortality occurs in low- and middle-income countries. Childhood cancer survival rates reach more than 80% in high-income countries but can be as low as 20% in low-income countries.

Notable differences exist in cancer-related outcomes for rural and nonrural patients, even in high-income countries such as the U.S. NCCN continues to pursue urgent work to address cancer disparities, including hosting a plenary session on equity in cancer care at the upcoming virtual NCCN 2022 Annual Conference.

At this year's conference, NCCN will join with leading health and cancer advocacy groups to convene the Elevating Cancer Equity Working Group. Outside of the conference, NCCN will continue to share the latest peer-reviewed research and commentary on cancer care inequities in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, host annual NCCN Patient Advocacy Summits, and develop guidelines that are customized for unique regional needs and resource levels.

NCCN is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education.