WHO and ASCO formalize partnership to strengthen global cancer care

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) have signed a collaboration agreement to improve access to quality cancer care internationally, according to a press release by WHO issued on 15 October 2026. The joint objective is to elevate quality as a priority in the global cancer agenda and to support governments in implementing programs that improve access and, ultimately, survival. The agreement brings together WHO’s global health leadership with ASCO’s clinical and educational expertise. It establishes a collaborative framework that will engage WHO Member States as partners. The initiative aims to strengthen the oncology workforce and expand evidence-based care across diverse resource settings worldwide.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, affecting 92% of families around the world, according to the latest estimates from the WHO Global status report on cancer 2026. The highest health, social, and economic burdens occur in low- and middle-income countries. In these settings, limited access to high-quality care causes avoidable harm to communities. The new partnership responds directly to these disparities. It builds on previous cooperation between the two organizations.

The agreement prioritizes three defined areas of work. The first focuses on capacity building in core health professional competencies in cancer care. The second seeks to improve access to cancer clinical trials. The third aims at strengthening quality, accessibility, and accountability in cancer care. Training activities will draw on ASCO’s existing Global Courses and will be tailored to the specific needs of individual countries.

Under the research component, WHO and ASCO will work with Member States to align research priorities with national cancer burdens and contexts. Proposed activities include virtual forums for national stakeholders and both virtual and in-person training to enhance regional cancer research collaboration.

“This agreement is a pivotal step in our collective effort to improve access to quality cancer care globally,” said Dr Julie R. Gralow, FACP, FASCO, ASCO Chief Medical Officer & Executive Vice President. She added that the organizations will “help bring high-quality, evidence-based care to patients in diverse resource settings worldwide.”

The quality component will combine WHO’s support for national cancer programs with ASCO’s quality care certification and training programs.

“No one should have to wonder whether the cancer care they receive is safe and effective,” said Dr André Ilbawi, Team Lead of the WHO Cancer Programme.

He noted that in too many countries, low-quality care causes avoidable harm, and that available care alone is not enough without high quality. The agreement takes the partnership between WHO and ASCO to a greater scale, for greater impact. Working with governments and health professionals, the two organizations will strengthen policies and services. The goal is to ensure that everyone affected by cancer receives care that meets the standards they deserve.