Cancer is currently one of the most pressing public health problems in Korea. In particular, the ageing population is vulnerable to cancer. That is why effective cancer control at the national level takes priority over other health issues in Korean Society. In response to the government's need for more effective cancer control policies and programs, the NCC reformed its organization in December 2008, by taking out the supporting unit for cancer control programs as an independent structure, to be named National Cancer Control Institute (NCCI). As one of the three major bodies of the NCC, NCCI has functions that include 1) cancer registration & statistics, 2) cancer early detection, 3) hospice and palliative care, 4) collection and dissemination of cancer-related information & education, and 5) cancer risk appraisal and prevention. NCCI, as a new organization, is more actively assisting the government in formulating and executing cancer-related national policies.

The Government's Long-term Cancer Control Objectives

The NCCI is doing its best to improve our understanding of cancer and develop better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer on the individual, regional and national levels. The government's policy drive to reduce cancer occurence and mortality has motivated the NCCI to speed up its cancer control-elated activities.

The NCCI is reinforcing international collaborative efforts with international health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and other prestigious cancer institutes by conducting joint research and exchanging information and personnel. Moreover, ever since the NCCRI was designated as the WHO Collaborating Center for Cancer Registration, Early Detection and Prevention in 2005, the NCCI is giving back to the international community by sharing its rich cancer control experiences.

And the 3rd 5-year National Plan for Cancer Control(2016-2020) has established in 2016 and currently in the implementation.