As we continue our work to improve cancer care around the world, one of the most powerful strengths we have is our network of technical partners. These partners are crucial in helping cities overcome the complex challenges of delivering quality cancer care. At C/Can, we believe in the power of collaboration—because we know that when we work together, we can achieve lasting change.
Across the cities within which we develop solutions, we often experience limited resources and gaps within the cancer care delivery ecosystem, meaning that the burden of cancer care continues to grow. While local healthcare professionals are incredibly dedicated, they can’t tackle these challenges alone. This is where our technical partners make a transformative difference, bringing specialised knowledge and experience that cities may not have access to otherwise. Together, we create sustainable, impactful solutions for cancer care that will endure for years to come.
How Do Technical Partners Contribute to C/Can’s Mission?
At C/Can, we’re guided by a shared mission: to ensure that all people, regardless of where they live, have access to the cancer care they deserve. Achieving this goal requires more than just good intentions—it requires collaboration across multiple sectors. Our technical partners are a crucial part of this collaboration.
Technical partners bring critical expertise in areas such as digital health, cancer diagnosis and treatment, health financing, and implementation science, all within a comprehensive health system strengthening approach. These contributions enable cities to design solutions that are not only aligned with global best practices but are also tailored to the specific needs and challenges of each city. This ensures that the solutions we implement are effective, sustainable, and contextually appropriate.
C/Can representatives and technical experts at ASCO 2024.
The Power of External Expertise for Cities
Through working with numerous healthcare stakeholders across our network of cities, it’s evident that there are critical unmet needs that exist within the city cancer care systems. This is where external technical expertise becomes essential. While local healthcare teams have invaluable insights into the community’s needs, they often lack the specialised knowledge required to solve complex challenges in cancer care.
For example, when a city faces difficulties in establishing multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) to provide coordinated care for cancer patients, C/Can partners with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) to deliver the Multidisciplinary Cancer Management Course (MCMC). This programme, adapted to local contexts with contributions from partners like American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Tata Memorial Hospital, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), provided cities with the tools and knowledge to improve the collaboration between healthcare providers and enhance patient care.
Technical partners don’t just help with immediate challenges—they help build long-term, sustainable systems that ensure cities can continue to improve cancer care even after the project is completed.
Alfredo Polo, Director of Technical Cooperation at C/Can with Lisa Stevens, Director of the Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT).
C/Can, ASCO and local stakeholders in Nairobi for the MCMC in December 2024.
A Story of Impact: Bringing Experts Together
A powerful example of the technical partners’ impact is through our collaboration with Tata Memorial Hospital in Kumasi. To strengthen cancer surgery capacity, we facilitated observation visits for Kumasi surgeons to Tata Memorial and organised local training programmes with mentors from Mumbai.
With the support of our expert partners, we were able to adapt the training to suit the needs of Kumasi. As a result, the city saw improvements in their ability to manage cancer care surgeries, which in turn is leading to better outcomes for patients.
This is just one example of how technical partners can make a tangible impact on cancer care systems. But beyond the immediate benefits, the partnerships we foster also help create networks of knowledge, resources, and expertise that will continue to support cities long into the future.
Strengthening Cancer Care with the Help of Partners
Technical partners are also instrumental in helping cities address specific gaps in cancer care. From training healthcare professionals to improving access to cancer medicines, their expertise and contributions help cities strengthen their healthcare systems in multiple ways. Some of the key areas where our partners have made a difference include:
- Professional Accreditation and Training: Partners help cities create tailored training programmes that equip healthcare workers with the skills and knowledge they need to deliver high-quality cancer care.
- Guidelines and Best Practices: Our partners share their expertise and provide cities with guidelines and best practices that are based on international standards, ensuring that cancer care is aligned with global benchmarks.
- Quality assurance standards: Our partners support the design and implementation of quality assurance measures and protocols in both cancer diagnosis and treatment to enhance the relability and safety of cancer care services. By working with technical partners, we help cities improve access to essential cancer medicines, ensuring that patients receive the treatment they need.
- Policy and Research Support: Through capacity development initiatives, our partners enhance cities’ ability to engage in cancer research which are essential for informed-decision making in shaping policies at both the local and national levels.
These contributions are critical in building cancer care systems that are not only capable of addressing immediate needs but are also equipped to tackle future challenges.
Implementation science workshop held in collaboration with the University of Melbourne in Phnom Penh in April 2025.
Pathology consultation meeting with C/Can staff in Geneva.
Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at C/Can. Our work with technical partners is not just about solving today’s problems—it’s about creating lasting systems that will continue to improve cancer care in cities for years to come.
When we work with partners, we’re not just addressing technical gaps—we’re also fostering relationships and building networks that will support cities long after our direct involvement has ended. This is how we ensure that the improvements we make today will have a lasting impact tomorrow.
Consultation meeting with technical experts in Doha, Qatar.
The Future of Technical Partnerships in C/Can’s Work
As we continue to expand our work in cities, we know that new challenges will emerge. These challenges may not have been anticipated at the start of a project, but the role of technical partners will remain just as crucial in the next phase of our work.
By maintaining strong, flexible partnerships with technical experts, we ensure that cities receive the support they need to address evolving challenges in cancer care. Whether it’s adapting to new treatment protocols, integrating digital health solutions, or improving access to medicines, technical partners will be key to helping cities navigate the complex landscape of cancer care.
Isabel Mestres, CEO at C/Can and Mathieu Morand, Director of Impact Scaling, at Tata Memorial Hospital.
Building a Shared Future
At C/Can, we are committed to creating a world where every person has access to quality cancer care. But we can’t do this alone. By working together with our technical partners, we are building a global network of expertise that will help cities tackle the cancer burden head-on.
Our approach is clear: when cities and partners come together with a shared vision and commitment, we can build systems that are stronger, more resilient, and more effective at improving cancer care for all.
Together, we can create a world where cancer care is accessible to everyone, no matter where they live.
