About the map

This section outlines the global objectives of the plan including cancer and NCD goals, cancer burden as well as leadership and official endorsement of the plan.

Items:

• Timeline specified NCCP
• NCD & Cancer goals and indicators specified
• References to global initiatives or targets: UN Sustainable Development Goals,
• NCD Global Action Plan, Global Breast Cancer Initiative, Cervical Cancer
• Elimination Initiative, Global Initiative on Childhood Cancer,
• World Health Assembly resolution on cancer integrated approach (WHA 70.12)
• Links to national health targets
• Stakeholders involved in the plan development acknowledged
• Plan made available to the public for review and input
• Endorsement of the plan: approved by the Ministry of Health and/ or other
  government authorities
• Cancer continuum addressed in plan goals: prevention, early detection (secondary prevention), diagnosis, treatment, palliative care/pain management, end of life care (including hospice), Survivorship (including quality of life)
• Evidence base for plan strategies or interventions indicated
• Strategies related to increasing public awareness included

This section addresses the use of data, its sources and indicators that are included in the plan as well as monitoring & evaluation modalities.

Items:

• Cancer data included
• Cancer targets and indicators stated
• Cancer objectives/indicators written in a SMART [Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time bound] format
• Sources of cancer data indicated
• Strategies related to monitoring and evaluation of implementation of the plan included
• Strategies to develop or expand registry systems/data included (to develop/expand Population-based cancer registry; to develop/expand Hospital-
  based cancer registry)
• Use of other data, aside from cancer registry data acknowledged

This section addresses the main risk factors for NCDs and cancer. It details policies and services that are planned or in place for the management of main risk factors.

Items:

• Strategies to address tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, shishas/hookahs, HTP (heated tobacco products))
• Strategies to address the use of any vaping devices (non-nicotine and nicotine delivery devices), e.g., e-cigarettes included
• Strategies to address the use of Smokeless Tobacco (e.g., use of Betel Quid/Areca Nut, nicotine pouches, snuff, chewing tobacco)
• Strategies to address the use of alcohol
• Strategies to address physical activity (or inactivity)
• Strategies to address obesity
• Strategies related to the most common occupational or environmental carcinogens (Air pollution (e.g., PM2.5) / asbestos / radon / other carcinogenic chemicals)
• Strategies to increase hepatitis B vaccination
• Strategies to increase HPV vaccination
• Associated risk factors mentioned / and strategies included: Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, H. pylori
• Strategies related to sun safety
• Strategies related to "taxes” (tobacco tax / alcohol tax / sugar and sweet beverages tax  / other/not specified)
• Strategies related to commercial determinants of health (tobacco bans and restrictions / alcohol bans and restrictions / sugar and sweet beverages restrictions / salt restrictions / marketing restrictions / protection of minors / environment-related protection in response to corporate action)

This section addresses the main screening modalities and details about education and awareness in early detection of cancer.

Items:

• Strategies to increase early detection of breast cancer and cervical cancer
• Cervical cancer screening modalities, target age and frequency consistent with existing WHO guidelines
• Other cancer screening included colorectal cancer / prostate cancer / lung cancer / oral cancer /liver cancer / other 
• Strategies to support referral networks, protocols or guidelines to addressing barriers to diagnosis
• Strategies related to pathology reporting
• References a pathology/laboratory assessment or plan, such as a national laboratory plan, or pathology training plan for cancer
• Strategies related to using cancer diagnosis guidelines
• Reference to cancer staging guidelines

This domain covers the main treatment interventions and services planned or in place.

Items:

• Strategies related to implementation of cancer treatment guidelines/protocols
• Reference to existing national and/or international cancer treatment
• Strategies related to quality control for implementation of treatment guidelines
• Reference to a national EML (Essential Medicines List) for cancer treatment
• Strategies related to a mechanism for procurement and supply chain of EML
• Strategies related to budgetary allocation for EML procurement
• Strategies related to device/machinery needs and maintenance
• Strategies related to new technology and mechanisms for purchasing and procurement
• Strategies related to the development or maintenance of radiation oncology services
• Strategies related to assessment of radiation oncology machines and safety
• Strategies related to staff and patient safety with chemotherapy
• Strategies related to paediatric cancer care
• Strategies related to adolescent/young adult cancer care
• Strategies to address Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) or drug resistance
• References to Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines

This domain addresses the main criteria in place or planned for palliative care service through training/education, procurement and follow-up interventions.

Items:

• Strategies related to palliative care other than pain management
• Strategies related to providing palliative care services in non-clinical settings (e.g., home-based, or community-based)
• Strategies to support families or caregivers of cancer patients/survivors
• Reference to essential medicines to treat psychological distress including anxiety, depression and delirium
• Strategies related to addressing post-treatment follow-up care needs of survivors (Physical care (including survivorship care plan, rehabilitation) /
• Psycho-social care (including reintegration, financial) / Linkage to primary care))

This section deals with awareness and engagement of communities.

Items:

• Strategies related to strengthening the primary health care provider's role in cancer services
• Strategies to support coordination of care for individuals across institutions
• Strategies to support multi-disciplinary teams, within a facility
• Strategies related to patient navigation for (screening/early detection/diagnosis; treatment; survivorship; palliative care; end of life care; a separate patient navigation strategy is referenced)
• Strategies related to telehealth/innovative service delivery mechanisms
• Strategies related to strengthening integration of cancer services into existing health systems

This section details the involvement of the health workforce in the development and implementation of the plan.

Items:

• Strategies related to any type of cancer workforce development or provider training (Oncologists (clinical, medical)/ Surgical oncologists / Medical physicists / Radiation oncologists / Radiation therapists / Oncology nurses Generalist nurses / Primary care providers / Palliative care providers / Community health workers / Pharmacists / Social work/psychologist/psycho-social support Pathologists / Patient navigators)
• Strategies related to cancer workforce hiring/career development to ensure adequate health service delivery

This section addresses the cancer research status and its funding.

Items:

• Strategies related to clinical trials
• Strategies related to cancer research, other than clinical trials
• Strategies related to funding research activities
• Strategies related to development of a national research agenda

This section deals with the overall financing mechanisms planned or in place in the country. It details country budget allocation but also patients’ resources.

Items:

• Existing financial resources and needs specified (and projections (of resources needed) are specified in the cancer plan or indicates the information is included in a separate resource plan)
• Each component of the plan is costed
• Strategies to address any funding gaps
• Strategies for allocation of non-domestic [e.g. foreign aid, concessional grants and loans] resources
• Strategies to promote financial protection for patients against catastrophic expenditure
• Strategies related to Universal Health Coverage and components of cancer control to be included in the country's plans for UHC

This section deals with strategies focusing on vulnerable populations and links the plan implementation with health equity.

Items:

• A statement or overall goal related to health equity (includes a statement about the importance of cancer-related health equity / includes a goal related to health equity)
• Objectives to reduce disparities in any cancer outcomes or address cancer-related inequities
• Strategies related to addressing the needs of vulnerable (under-served) populations (Rural / Uninsured / Low socioeconomic status (SES) / LGBTQI+ / First nations/Indigenous/Aboriginal population ; Racial/ethnic populations / Refugees  / Urban poor) / Persons with disabilities (physical or intellectual) or chronic illness (including of mental health) / Aging/elderly  / Prison population 
• Strategies related to addressing health literacy
• Strategies related to addressing social determinants of health (e.g., employment, insurance, education, transportation, housing, and environmental changes such as sidewalks, parks, etc.)

This section addresses strategies related to emergency preparedness and other disruptions that might affect implementation of cancer control activities.

Items:

• Recognition of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on national cancer control efforts
• Strategies related to addressing current or future impacts of disruptions like pandemics, supply chain shortages, political unrest, climate- related, war, etc.

This section addresses mainly the governance structure, of the plan as well as the leadership and multi-sectoral approach.

Items:

• Link to a cancer or NCD policy
• Indication of stakeholders who will be involved in plan implementation (specific stakeholders are not indicated / government ministries are indicated / civil society or advocacy groups are indicated / people living with cancer are indicated / cancer institutes are indicated / clinicians are indicated / community leaders are indicated / researchers are indicated
• Strategies for promotion and dissemination of the plan among key stakeholders [e.g. launch, media]
• Information about who is responsible for plan implementation
• Implementation plan or matrix with (Timeframes for completion of strategies or activities / Indicators or outcome measures with data sources / Who is responsible for implementing strategies / Resources or funding available to implement strategies / An indication of resources or funding needed to implement strategies / a separate implementation plan is referenced)