City Cancer Challenge Foundation (C/Can)

The two organizations cooperate to increase the sharing of expertise, skills and resources to drive greater impact in the application of radiation medicine as part of cancer care; and to support cities in low and middle-income countries to develop mechanisms that ensure patient-centred and standardised care through multidisciplinary medical approaches. The partnership also foresees the participation and integration of IAEA experts in multidisciplinary global teams to review resource-appropriate guidelines and provide recommendations for the management of the most common and curable cancers.

In addition, both organizations facilitate technical cooperation in the design of radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging development plans and quality assurance programmes, and work together to expand collaboration in areas such as cancer control assessments, data collection, research initiatives and resource mobilisation efforts to enhance comprehensive cancer control in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) of common work. The collaboration between the IAEA and C/Can was formalised through agreements signed in May 2021.

C/Can is a Swiss-based non-profit foundation that supports cities around the world in low- and middle-income countries as they work to improve access to equitable, quality cancer care. It was launched by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) in 2017 and became a standalone foundation in 2019. C/Can’s strategic priorities include improving the quality of cancer infrastructure - comprising quality radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy - and enhancing the capacity of health professionals. The Foundation’s multi-sectoral initiative helps cities to take the lead in the design, planning and implementation of cancer treatment solutions. C/Can assistance includes the provision of technical assistance by regional or international specialists.