Union for International Cancer Control
A Geneva-based global cancer-control organization that connects and supports the international cancer community.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) is an international non-governmental organization focused on reducing the global burden of cancer and improving fairness in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Founded in 1933, it brings together more than 1,150 member organizations in over 170 countries and territories. Its membership includes national cancer societies, government agencies, hospitals, cancer research and treatment institutions, patient-support organizations and professional associations. UICC originated in the international cancer movement of the 1930s. A proposal made at a cancer congress in Madrid led to the creation of an international body intended to promote cancer research, treatment and social action. The organization was established in Paris in 1933 and held its first General Assembly there in 1935. Its original Latin name, Unio Internationalis Contra Cancrum, supplied the acronym UICC. The organization moved its base to Geneva in 1948, positioning itself near major international health institutions. UICC operates as a membership-based federation rather than as a commercial brand or a clinical-care provider. Its work includes convening policymakers, researchers, clinicians, civil-society groups and patient advocates; supporting cancer-control capacity in lower-resource settings; producing technical and educational resources; and advocating for cancer to remain a priority in global health and development policy. Its stated mission is to unite and support the cancer community, reduce the global cancer burden, advance equity and keep cancer control on the international agenda. Major areas of activity have included tobacco control, cervical-cancer elimination, metastatic breast cancer, access to essential medicines, universal health coverage, antimicrobial resistance, cancer and ageing, health equity and the delivery of cancer services during the COVID-19 period. UICC also provides fellowships, grants, training, webinars and professional exchange opportunities. Its principal global convening activities include the World Cancer Congress and the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit. The organization is best known to the public through World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4. The awareness day provides a platform for governments, health organizations, communities and individuals to communicate about prevention, early detection, treatment access and survivorship. UICC also has a substantial technical and publishing role. It developed the TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors, a widely used framework for describing the anatomical extent of cancer, and has supported successive editions of related clinical resources. The International Journal of Cancer has been its official journal since 1966, while other publishing and education partnerships have extended its reach into clinical oncology and global cancer research. UICC has official relations with the World Health Organization and consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. It participates in international cancer-control networks and works with organizations including the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy. It was a founding member of the NCD Alliance, the McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer and the International Cancer Control Partnership. In 2019 it established the City Cancer Challenge Foundation, and in 2022 it established the Access to Oncology Medicines Coalition. Governance is exercised by member organizations through a General Assembly held every two years, with a Board of Directors acting between assemblies. UICC maintains a Geneva secretariat and remains an active global organization.
History
The Union for International Cancer Control was created in response to the growing internationalization of cancer research and public-health work during the early twentieth century. A proposal made at a cancer congress in Madrid in 1933 called for an organization that could promote cancer research, treatment and social action across national borders. UICC was subsequently founded in Paris in 1933. Its Latin name, Unio Internationalis Contra Cancrum, produced the acronym by which it has continued to be known. The first UICC General Assembly took place in Paris on 4 May 1935. It brought together representatives of 67 national cancer organizations from 43 countries. UICC also sponsored the second International Cancer Congress, held in Brussels in 1936, and the third, held in Atlantic City in 1939. Its activities were suspended during the Second World War. International congress activity resumed after the war, with further congresses held in 1947 and 1950. In 1948 UICC moved its headquarters to Geneva, where proximity to international health institutions supported its expanding role in global health coordination. For many years, its international cancer congress and General Assembly were held on a four-year cycle. Since 2006, the principal congress and assembly cycle has generally been biennial. The congress was later renamed the World Cancer Congress, reflecting the organization’s broader emphasis on cancer-control policy, implementation and health-system capacity as well as scientific exchange. UICC’s technical influence expanded through the TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors. First published in 1953 as a uniform approach to clinical classification using the TNM system, the work became an important reference for describing the anatomical extent of malignant disease. A pocket-book edition appeared in 1968, and later editions incorporated revisions in cancer staging practice. The eighth edition was published in 2017 with Wiley. Publishing and professional education became additional parts of UICC’s international role. The International Journal of Cancer has served as the organization’s official journal since 1966. UICC also publishes the Manual of Clinical Oncology and partnered with the American Society of Clinical Oncology on JCO Global Oncology, an open-access journal launched in 2015. Over time, UICC developed from a congress-centered association into a broad cancer-control federation. Its membership now includes civil-society organizations, public agencies, clinical and research institutions, patient groups and professional bodies. The organization supports training, fellowships, grants, webinars and international knowledge exchange, while advocating on issues such as tobacco control, cervical-cancer elimination, access to essential medicines, universal health coverage, health equity, cancer and ageing, metastatic breast cancer and cancer care during major disruptions. UICC’s public-awareness profile is closely associated with World Cancer Day, held each year on February 4. The day enables cancer organizations and governments to communicate about prevention, early detection, treatment, survivorship and inequalities in cancer outcomes. UICC also convenes the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit and maintains relationships with multilateral health institutions. It has official relations with the World Health Organization, consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, a role on the Governing Council of the International Agency for Research on Cancer and close cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy. The organization was a founding member of the NCD Alliance, the McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer and the International Cancer Control Partnership. In January 2019 it established the City Cancer Challenge Foundation, and in 2022 it established the Access to Oncology Medicines Coalition. UICC is governed by its member organizations through a General Assembly held every two years. Between assemblies, a 16-member Board of Directors serves as the executive body, while a Geneva-based secretariat manages day-to-day operations. The organization remains active as a global coordinating, advocacy and capacity-building institution rather than a commercial healthcare provider.
- 2022
Access to Oncology Medicines Coalition established
[1]UICC establishes the ATOM Coalition to address access to essential oncology medicines.
- 2019
City Cancer Challenge Foundation established
[1]UICC establishes a foundation focused on supporting city-level cancer-control action.
- 2017
Eighth TNM classification edition
[1]The eighth edition of the TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors is published with Wiley.
- 2015
JCO Global Oncology partnership begins
[1]UICC partners with the American Society of Clinical Oncology on the open-access journal JCO Global Oncology.
- 2010
English name updated
[1]The English name changes from International Union Against Cancer to Union for International Cancer Control while preserving the UICC acronym.
- 1966
International Journal of Cancer becomes official journal
[1]The International Journal of Cancer begins its role as UICC’s official peer-reviewed publication.
- 1953
First TNM classification publication
[1]UICC publishes a standardized clinical classification framework based on the TNM system for describing cancer extent.
- 1948
Headquarters move to Geneva
[1]UICC relocates to Geneva to work closer to international health organizations.
- 1935
First General Assembly
[1]The first General Assembly meets in Paris with delegates from 67 national cancer organizations representing 43 countries.
- 1933
UICC is founded in Paris
[1]An international cancer organization is established after a proposal at a Madrid cancer congress to promote research, treatment and social action.
Products and positioning
A global membership federation and convening platform for cancer control, combining policy advocacy, professional collaboration, technical guidance, education and public awareness.
Public awareness campaign
World Cancer Day
An annual international cancer-awareness initiative observed on February 4. Organized and supported by UICC, it gives governments, health institutions, civil-society organizations and communities a common platform for discussing prevention, early diagnosis, treatment access, survivorship and inequalities in cancer outcomes.
Clinical classification · 1953
TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors
A technical classification system developed through UICC for describing the anatomical extent of malignant disease using tumor, node and metastasis categories. It has been revised over time and is used as a reference in cancer staging, clinical communication, research and treatment planning.
Medical journal · 1966
International Journal of Cancer
A peer-reviewed journal covering experimental and clinical cancer research. It has been the official journal of UICC since 1966 and forms part of the organization’s contribution to international scientific communication.
Clinical reference
Manual of Clinical Oncology
A clinical oncology reference published by UICC with Wiley. Its subject areas include cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, palliative care and considerations for special patient populations.
Open-access medical journal · 2015
JCO Global Oncology
An online, open-access oncology journal produced through a partnership between UICC and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. It focuses on research and clinical issues relevant to cancer care across different health-system and resource settings.
Marketing campaigns
- World Cancer Day
Global
UICC’s flagship public-awareness platform, held annually on February 4, mobilizing cancer organizations, governments and communities around prevention, early detection, treatment, survivorship and equity.
Outcome. Established a recurring international focal point for cancer advocacy and public education.
- World Cancer Congress
Global
A major UICC convening for researchers, clinicians, policymakers, civil-society leaders and patient advocates to exchange knowledge and advance cancer-control implementation.
Outcome. Supports international collaboration and policy dialogue on cancer control.
- World Cancer Leaders’ Summit
Global
A leadership forum bringing senior figures from the cancer community together to discuss global priorities, health equity and implementation challenges.
Outcome. Provides a high-level coordination and advocacy forum for cancer leaders.
Brand decisions
2022
Creation of the Access to Oncology Medicines CoalitionStrategyBackground
Unequal access to essential cancer medicines remains a major barrier to effective cancer treatment worldwide.
Action taken
UICC established the Access to Oncology Medicines Coalition, also known as the ATOM Coalition.
Aftermath
The coalition broadened UICC’s access and equity agenda with a dedicated focus on oncology medicines.
2020
Cancellation of the Oman World Cancer CongressOtherBackground
The World Cancer Congress scheduled to take place in Oman was affected by the global coronavirus pandemic.
Action taken
UICC cancelled the planned 2020 congress.
Aftermath
The cancellation reflected the disruption that COVID-19 caused to international meetings and cancer-control activities.
2019
Creation of the City Cancer Challenge FoundationM&ABackground
UICC sought to support practical, locally coordinated approaches to cancer control in cities and health systems.
Action taken
UICC established the City Cancer Challenge Foundation.
Aftermath
The initiative added a city-level implementation vehicle to UICC’s international advocacy and convening work.
2010
Adoption of the Union for International Cancer Control nameStrategyBackground
The organization had historically used the English name International Union Against Cancer while retaining the UICC acronym derived from its Latin name.
Action taken
UICC changed its English name to Union for International Cancer Control so that its English, French, Spanish and Latin naming conventions could continue to use the same acronym.
Aftermath
The new name emphasized cancer control as a broad global-health mission rather than a narrower formulation centered on opposition to cancer.
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