The Chinese Anti-Cancer Association (CACA) was established on April 28th 1984 under the advocates by Professors Xianzhai Jin, Hengxing Wu, Jiarui Jin, and Tianze Zhang. CACA is affiliated to Chinese Association of Science & Technology, registered in the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, and the only cancer association of the first category with the status of an independent legal entity.
CACA was founded in Tianjin. Prof. Huanxing Wu and Prof. Xianzhai Jin acceded to the post of the first President and the Honorary President respectively. The second and third President was Prof. Tianze Zhang who was the Director of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute (TMUCI). Prof. Guangwei Xu, the former President of Beijing Cancer Hospital was elected as the fourth and fifth President of CACA. On October 27th-29th, 2007, Dr. Xi-Shan Hao has been elected as the President of CACA at the Sixth General Assembly held in Beijing.
Vision and Mission
The vision of CACA is to be the leading non-governmental organization devoted to increase the survival rate, decrease the incidence and mortality rate of cancer, and improve the cancer control in China and the world.
The mission of CACA is to contribute to the prevention and treatment of cancer via organizing, mobilizing and supporting clinical, scientific and technological professionals in the field of oncology.
- Organizing scientific exchanges and conferences
- Promoting cooperation with international NGOs
- Conducting various training courses and seminars
- Fostering scientific, technological and medical personnel in the field of oncology
- Compiling and publishing academic periodicals
- Mobilizing all social forces to work together to disseminate the knowledge of cancer control
International Communication
CACA is one of the seven members of Asia-Pacific Federation of Organization for Research and Cancer Control (APFOCC) and a member in the International Union Against Cancer (UICC). CACA maintains a close collaboration with American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), American Cancer Society (ASC), French Cancer Association, and Italy Union Against Cancer. The extensive international connections enable Chinese oncologists to play a more active role in the international community.
The delegation of CACA attended the 19th World Cancer Congress (WCC) of UICC held on July 7, 2006. During the conference, Prof Xishan Hao, the council chairman of CACA, was elected in the board of the directors of UICC. Meanwhile, UICC approved that 21st WCC would be held in Beijing. CACA and Chinese Medical Association will jointly sponsor the congress in 2010.
On March 3rd 2008, Ms. Isabel Mortara, the Chief Executive Officer of UICC, accompanied by two officials, came to Beijing and discussed the preparation of 21st WCC . The delegation inspected the exhibition halls, transportation condition, and the hotels during the visit.
To promote international communication of cancer research, prevention, and treatments, CACA plans organize and host more international conferences. Meanwhile, CACA will also organize more delegations to participate in global oncology conferences. By doing so, CACA intend to promote oncological research in China, and to attract the international attention on Chinese oncology study.
CACA is looking forward to working with all the societies and individuals who are devoted to anti-cancer activities to prevent cancers, to cure cancers and to improve the quality of life among cancer patients in China, and in the world.
Science Popularization
Cancer prevention and control is an arduous and long-term task in the field of the public health. To promote scientific awareness of caner nationwide, CACA actively popularizes the knowledge of cancer prevention and treatment. “National Cancer Week”, week of April 15, designed by CACA and organized by our local offices, has been utilized as a platform to provide information on cancer prevention and treatment, to promote cancer awareness, and to win popular support from mass media and various social sectors. So far the activity of “National Cancer Weeks” has been held for fourteen consecutive years.
Smoking and second-hand smoking cause serious damage to people’s health. To reduce the threat of tobacco and to promote the WHO “Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)”, CACA hosted a senior seminar, Conference on Tobacco Control and Implement of WTO’s FCTC, at The Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
“Smokefree Worksite Initiative” was jointly launched by CACA and American Anti-Cancer Association on June 12th, 2008. The advocate, “smoke free worksite, starts from today”, has been put forward on the press conference in the hope of attracting more organizations to build 100% smoke free worksites to employees.
On Aug 9, 2008, a press conference was held to advocate “Smoke free Olympic, Healthier Lifestyle” in the Olympic Village – Jonson & Jonson Park. The conference recognizes those companies that support the realization of green Olympic and smokefree worksites. Packages containing advices to implement tobacco control were distributed to assist participants to create 100% smoke free worksites.
The theme of 08’ UICC World Cancer Day is “Today’s Children is Tomorrow’s World”, aiming to direct the attention of the world to the health condition of children and to build a safe environment for them. It is reported that around 700 million children, almost half of the world's children, breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke. Second-Hand Smoking victimizes many children. Therefore, it is very important to control tobacco and to build a smoke free environment. In 2008, CACA hosted a publicity promotion to create a smoke free environment for children in the Pediatric Cancer Department in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital.
Scientific Communication
Scientific communication is a crucial way to promote the development of Oncology and training of the oncologist. CACA organizes a biannually-held Chinese Conference of Oncology (CCO), which is the largest oncological communication in China, representing the latest development and most advanced progress in Chinese Oncology. The CCO plays an important role in promoting oncological research and enhancing communication with the international oncological communities.
In 2006, over 88 foreign delegates from 15 countries (US, UK, Canada, etc), 16 members of Chinese Academy of Engineering, as well as 2680 experts from China (including 48 doctors from Taiwan) participated the 4th CCO, which was the largest conference in the history of the CCO.
Scientific Journals and Information
The journal series issued by CACA is one of the most elite projects of CACA. These journals serve as the major platforms for scientific communication for Chinese oncology. Total thirty two journals, such as “Chinese Journal of Clinical Oncology”, are published. “Newsletter of Chinese Anti-Cancer Association” is also issued to offer a better service for CACA members.
The website of CACA www.caca.org.cn is created as a platform for member communication and for popularization the anticancer knowledge. It also acts as a channel for the masses to understand the operation of our association.
Scientific Research
CACA actively promote oncological research by initiating several multi-center clinical studies of anticancer drugs and a numbers of research projects on the current treatment of malignant tumors. In addition, CACA is undertaking the “Breast Cancer Screening Project” initiated by Chinese Ministry of Health. This project involves 530,000 women from 30 provinces / cities and 53 counties / district. The doctors trained by CACA experts offer free, reliable, and professional breast cancer examination for the women of proper ages in order to decrease the mortality rate by early diagnosis and early treatment. The project will explore a new combination of breast cancer screening methods that fits to the current situation of China and biological characteristics of Chinese women. Meanwhile, the screening project will promote the spread of breast cancer prevention knowledge. The quality of life of Chinese people will be improved as well.