Iran National Cancer Control Program (IrNCCP) in Practice

The incidence rate of cancer in Iran is lower than the global average, but this rate is increasing both in the world and in Iran in the next two decades

"Iran National Cancer Control" was developed in 2013 with a strategic planning approach and consists of 4 main processes and 7 support processes.

Some of the significant interventions taken in the main processes are: implementation of training programs, vaccinations and multi-sectoral collaboration to reduce the burden of risk factors, in the prevention component; implementation of breast, cervical and colon cancer screening programs and development of relevant protocols, cheap HPV testing with insurance coverage, and production of FIT kits, in the early detection component; development of 12 National Practice Guidelines for anticancer drugs and standardizing chemotherapy and radiotherapy services, in diagnosis and treatment component; development of supportive and palliative care management protocols and standardizing these services. In the supporting processes, the main measures taken in the form of 7 components of this program are: developing National Cancer Control Program and forming its secretariat, designing and implementing a geospatial infrastructure program, creating, developing and equipping early detection, and cancer treatment centers and referral laboratories, holding training courses, promoting insurance coverage for cancer services, and implementing an integrated cancer information management system.

This program has been able to achieve its short-term objectives in the defined periods, but in order to fully implement the program and achieve the expected outcomes, it is necessary to strengthen its governance structure and the commitment of health system policy makers to this program.