It has been estimated that, based on current scientific evidence on causes of cancer and successful prevention interventions, at least 40% of cancer cases could be prevented, and further mortality reduced, through actions targeted towards risk prevention at the individual or population level. The World Code Against Cancer Framework is based on the synthesis and evaluation of the evidence on lifestyle, environmental, occupational, and infectious risk factors and effective medical interventions, to translate this evidence base into recommendations on primary and secondary prevention of cancer at the individual and population levels.
Regional Codes Against Cancer will offer an exceptional public health tool to guide and support governments in the implementation of cancer control strategies, as well as to educate the population on healthy behaviours and to encourage participation in prevention programmes.
Regional Codes Against Cancer will focus on regions that are sufficiently large but also distinct enough to merit the development of versions adapted to differences in risk factors and cancer patterns, as well as economic, social, and cultural conditions (e.g. Latin America and the Caribbean, South-East Asia, East Africa).