Principle 2: Reorienting the model of care

Reorienting cancer care to a people-centred approach starts with understanding what individuals value and the conditions in which they live and make health choices across every stage of the cancer continuum – from prevention, screening, and diagnosis to treatment, palliative care, and survivorship. Cancer care should be holistic, not siloed around a single diagnosis. It should be embedded within a broader framework of responsive health services that consider the individual’s full range of needs. This includes screening for other cancers, managing co-morbidities and risk factors, and even addressing the health needs of family members who may be present—such as offering childhood vaccinations. By looking beyond the immediate condition or symptoms, integrated care can better support people in the context of their lives, not just their illnesses.

Effective prevention and early detection strategies must also be designed with an understanding of the social, economic, and environmental conditions that shape people’s knowledge, awareness, and health-seeking behaviours – including education, employment, housing, and access to healthy products.  

At the point of diagnosis and treatment, people must be active participants in their care. A people-centred approach equips individuals with clear, accessible information so they can weigh options, manage their care, and make decisions that align with their values, goals, and lifestyles. It’s not about asking, “What’s the matter with you?” but rather, “What matters to you?”

Health literacy – the ability to find, understand, and use health information – is a cornerstone of this model. When people understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and care plan, they are more likely to participate actively, follow medical advice, and experience better health outcomes. Health systems must proactively ensure that information is tailored, culturally appropriate, and easy to navigate. This includes verbal communication, written materials, digital tools, and translation where needed.

Throughout treatment and follow-up, care must be continuous, coordinated, and compassionate. Multidisciplinary teams (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgeons, pathologists, alongside nurses, social workers, community health workers and so on) should collaborate consistently across services and settings to manage not only clinical symptoms and side effects but also emotional, psychological, and practical needs.  

Supportive care should consider the long-term physical, mental, and social challenges throughout an individual’s cancer journey. Palliative care should address the need for dignity, comfort, and support for both patients and their families.  

EXAMPLE:  

• In Cameroon, an integrated mother-to-child approach combining cervical cancer screening for women with HPV vaccination for their daughters significantly improved uptake and community acceptance of both services. When HPV vaccination was offered alongside cervical cancer screening, it builds trust, reduces hesitancy, and encourages intergenerational learning about prevention.  

Principle 4: Creating the conditions for change

Creating the conditions for change requires action across the entire health system. This includes strong leadership, appropriate and supportive policies and regulations, systems that reward quality and collaboration, and a workforce ready to deliver new models of care. Achieving this transformation takes coordination, co-creation, investment, and shared commitment across sectors and stakeholders.

Governments and institutions must set clear cancer policy goals, communicate a compelling case for change, and allocate sufficient dedicated resources to implement reforms. Strong leadership also means fostering a culture that values data, evaluation, and continuous learning.

Health workers must be supported and trained to work in new, people-centred ways. Cancer care teams should be multidisciplinary, flexible, and responsive to the emotional, cultural, and social needs of people. Staff also require the tools and support to collaborate across institutions and use data to guide care.

Laws and regulations must enable integrated cancer care. This means ensuring that services across the cancer continuum – screening, diagnosis, treatment, supportive and palliative care, and follow-up – are coordinated and connected, so that patients experience seamless, continuous, and people-centred care. Regulations must evolve to reflect the shift toward coordinated, people-centred systems. 

EXAMPLES:  

• In Rwanda, the government established the first African national policy on palliative care to improve the quality of life of patients, particularly those at advanced stages of HIV/AIDS. This policy was later integrated into the national cancer control plan with a focus on the accessibility and availability of morphine.
• Some EU Member States (namely France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Romania) adopted national legislative initiatives to recognise a Right to be forgotten (RTBF) for cancer survivors. This prevents insurance companies and financial institutions from requiring disclosure of a past cancer diagnosis after a certain period has passed since the end of treatment. The aim is to reduce discrimination and improve access to financial services such as loans, mortgages, and insurance for people who have had cancer.
• Mexico has specific legislation granting job-protected care leave to parents whose children (under 16 years old) are diagnosed with cancer. This benefit is designed to support families during critical periods of their child’s treatment and to reduce the risk of treatment abandonment due to parental work obligations.