Mission Early, the global policy initiative championing early cancer care, today issued a Global Call to Action for Better Early Cancer Care at the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) World Cancer Leaders’ Summit (WCLS) in Melbourne.
Mission Early is calling on governments, policymakers, and health authorities worldwide to put early cancer care at the centre of every cancer control plan, from prevention and screening to diagnosis and treatment. Early action, the initiative argues, must be embedded across national and international health frameworks, including National Cancer Control Plans (NCCPs), Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, and the UN Political Declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases.
Early action saves lives — and money.y
Mission Early’s growing body of evidence leaves no doubt: earlier diagnosis and treatment dramatically improve survival and reduce health system costs. But progress remains uneven. Too many cancers are still diagnosed too late – often not for lack of science, but for lack of political will, investment, and coordination.
At the 2024 UICC World Cancer Congress, Mission Early and the SDA Bocconi School of Management published the landmark Lavender Zones report, identifying OECD countries leading the way in early cancer policy. A second study by RAND Europe, to be released in 2026, maps the expert consensus on what an ideal early cancer care framework should look like, and where the biggest policy gaps remain.
“Investing in early cancer care is not just a moral imperative, it’s an economic one. The earlier we act, the better the outcomes — for patients, health systems, and societies. The Mission Early Call to Action helps connect that evidence to action.” Eduardo Pisani, Chief Executive Officer, All.Can International
Together, the findings deliver a clear message: the power of early can only be realised if governments act now.
A Global Call for Early Action
Mission Early’s Call to Action offers governments and institutions a practical roadmap to transform early cancer care by:
- Making early care a central pillar of every National Cancer Control Plan;
- Ensuring equitable access to screening and early detection in line with global standards;
- Updating clinical pathways and diagnostic protocols to reflect modern innovation;
- Strengthening data systems and workforce capacity to deliver timely, coordinated care; and
- Establishing measurable indicators to track progress and hold systems accountable.
Dr. Cary Adams, Chief Executive Officer, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), said, “To deliver on the promise of the World Cancer Declaration, we must put early detection and treatment at the heart of every country’s cancer control strategy. Mission Early’s Call to Action offers a unifying framework to make that ambition a reality.”
Dr. Nicoleta Antone, Head of Breast Cancer Centre, Institute of Oncology ‘Ion Chiricuta,’ in Romania, said, “Early detection is only meaningful if it leads to timely treatment. Our Call to Action underscores the need for integrated, patient-centred systems that ensure no one is lost between diagnosis and care.”
Antonella Cardone, Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Patients Europe, added, “Patients deserve what is proven to work: faster diagnosis, earlier treatment, and fair access for all. This is why now we call to move from pilots and promises to policies and practice.”
What is next:
Following the global launch at WCLS, Mission Early will continue to build momentum through regional engagement. A European launch event is planned for the first quarter of 2026 at the European Parliament in Brussels, where Mission Early will present new data and policy recommendations tailored to the European context.
Source: Mission Early
About Mission Early
Mission Early is the global policy initiative championing early cancer care. Mission Early’s vision is a future where more people survive a cancer diagnosis with the least consequences, because cancer is detected and treated as early as possible.
Organisations and individuals interested in supporting the Call to Action can sign and join the initiative by contacting [email protected]