World Summit Against Cancer for the New Millenium
Charter of Paris: 4 February 2000

Article 9

Recognizing the wide variability in resources and epidemiology throughout the world, the parties agree that individual countries must design national anti-cancer strategies according to local needs, and apply resources where they will have the greatest impact. Some nations might choose, for instance, to fund as a first priority strategies against those cancers that are preventable or curable, including prevention education and specific treatments. Other countries might strengthen immunization efforts as part of an overall cancer control strategy or more aggressively support the use of adjuvant chemotherapy to improve cancer survival outcomes. Each of these variable needs and opportunities have recently been defined by the World Health Organization in its effort to craft a global cancer control strategy.

It is clear that regardless of economic circumstance, a critical assessment of anti-cancer needs, appropriate planning and prioritization can meaningfully curtail the impact of cancer in both developed and developing nations alike.

The parties undertake to actively support the concept of national anti-cancer planning according to local need and resource. They further pledge to challenge all communities engaged in the fight against cancer to ensure such planning sufficiently prioritizes the current and looming cancer crisis -- and optimally captures the significant opportunity to reduce cancer-related morbidity and mortality.