Algeria's National Cancer Plan 2035: A Strategic Roadmap for Prevention, Early Detection, and Equitable Oncology Care
核心洞察
Algeria has officially approved its National Cancer Plan 2035, a comprehensive strategy addressing prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and research in oncology.
The plan responds to a rising cancer burden, with GLOBOCAN 2022 estimating 64,713 new cases compared to 27,775 in 2000, and an age-standardized incidence rate of 141.2 per 100,000.
Five strategic axes include prevention (tobacco control, obesity, HPV (搜索) vaccination), screening and early detection, diagnostic infrastructure, therapeutic management, and research and training.
Algeria has officially approved its National Cancer Plan 2035, marking a decisive milestone in the country's long-term approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare system organization. Presented during the Council of Ministers meeting chaired by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the strategy was developed by the National Commission for Cancer Prevention and Control under the leadership of Professor Adda Bounedjer.
The plan arrives at a critical juncture. According to GLOBOCAN 2022 estimates referenced in the national strategy, Algeria recorded 64,713 new cancer cases in 2022, compared with 27,775 in 2000—a more than twofold increase over two decades. The age-standardized incidence rate reached 141.2 per 100,000 inhabitants, while mortality was estimated at 77 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. Breast cancer (搜索) remains the most frequently diagnosed malignancy, followed by colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers.
Algeria is also undergoing a demographic and epidemiological transition characterized by population aging, increasing life expectancy, and a growing burden of non-communicable diseases. These trends are expected to further increase cancer incidence, making long-term planning essential for healthcare sustainability.
Five Strategic Axes for National Cancer Control
The National Cancer Plan 2035 is structured around five major strategic axes, each supported by operational indicators designed to strengthen cancer control while improving equity, efficiency, and sustainability.
Axis 1: Prevention
Prevention represents a central pillar of the plan, reflecting recognition that reducing cancer burden requires action before disease onset. The strategy targets several modifiable risk factors.
Tobacco consumption remains one of the leading preventable causes of cancer. Recommendations include stronger regulatory measures, increased taxation of tobacco products, restrictions on advertising and promotion, and enhanced protection against passive smoking. Reducing smoking prevalence is expected to lower the incidence of lung cancer (搜索), head and neck cancers, bladder cancer, and other tobacco-related malignancies.
The strategy also addresses obesity and unhealthy diets as emerging concerns linked to breast, colorectal, endometrial, pancreatic, and liver cancers. Planned initiatives include nutritional education, promotion of physical activity, and reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods.
Particular attention is given to HPV (搜索)-related cancers and cervical cancer (搜索) prevention. The strategy highlights strengthening cervical cancer screening programs while exploring integration of HPV vaccination into future national prevention efforts.
Axis 2: Screening and Early Detection
The second axis focuses on improving early cancer detection through organized screening programs. The strategy seeks to address late-stage diagnosis—a challenge in many middle-income countries where patients frequently present with advanced disease, limiting therapeutic options and negatively affecting survival.
Breast cancer (搜索) screening is prioritized, with emphasis on strengthening access, improving public awareness, and facilitating earlier diagnosis. Cervical cancer (搜索) screening efforts are reinforced, particularly in the context of HPV (搜索) prevention. Colorectal cancer (搜索) screening is also included, emphasizing earlier identification of high-risk individuals and improved diagnostic pathways. Prostate cancer (搜索) awareness and detection are incorporated among national indicators, recognizing the importance of risk assessment and appropriate diagnostic evaluation.
Axis 3: Diagnosis and Access to Oncology Infrastructure
This axis targets strengthening diagnostic capabilities and expanding access to specialized oncology infrastructure nationwide. Indicators include imaging equipment and radiological capacity, biomarker testing and molecular diagnostics, access to innovative cancer therapies, radiotherapy infrastructure, and oncology workforce development.
The strategy highlights the growing importance of biomarker testing and molecular diagnostics in modern oncology practice. Expanding access to biomarker analysis is expected to facilitate more personalized therapeutic approaches and support integration of precision oncology into routine clinical care.
Axis 4: Therapeutic Management and Patient Pathways
Improving patient pathways and continuity of care represents another central component. The strategy recognizes that oncology outcomes depend not only on treatment availability but also on healthcare organization, coordination, and treatment continuity.
Pharmaceutical governance receives particular attention. During national preparatory sessions held in 2025, discussions involving healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and policymakers highlighted the importance of continuity of treatment supply, medication safety, and optimization of procurement procedures. The strategy includes creation of a national mechanism responsible for supervising the availability and distribution of anticancer medicines.
Palliative care services are included among key indicators, reflecting recognition that comprehensive cancer care must include symptom control, psychosocial support, and quality-of-life interventions.
Axis 5: Research and Training
The final axis focuses on oncology education, scientific research, and healthcare competency development. The strategy emphasizes strengthening oncology training programs, supporting multidisciplinary education, encouraging scientific research, and improving integration between academic and clinical oncology. As oncology rapidly evolves through precision medicine, molecular diagnostics, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy, continuous professional development is deemed essential.
Immunotherapy Integration: Progress and Challenges
In parallel with the national plan, Algeria has made significant progress in modernizing cancer care through progressive integration of immunotherapy into routine oncology practice. The National Medical Oncology Therapeutic Guidelines, developed by the Algerian Ministry of Health (搜索), provide standardized, evidence-based treatment recommendations that harmonize clinical practice across oncology departments nationwide.
Today, immunotherapy is used in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (搜索), kidney cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer (搜索), gastric cancer, colorectal cancer (搜索), hepatocellular carcinoma, and cutaneous melanoma. For eligible patients, these therapies have contributed to improved response rates, longer disease control, and better survival outcomes.
Expanding immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology platforms remains a national priority, as timely biomarker testing is essential for appropriate patient selection. The Algerian pharmaceutical industry has also invested in local manufacturing capacity through facilities dedicated to innovative anticancer therapies.
Several challenges persist, including ensuring continuous availability of immunotherapy agents through the Central Pharmacy of Hospitals, ongoing professional education for multidisciplinary teams, and recognition and management of immune-related adverse events. Establishing dedicated Immunotoxicity Multidisciplinary Team meetings could further improve coordinated management of these complex toxicities. Radiologists play an increasingly important role in interpreting atypical response patterns such as pseudoprogression and hyperprogression.
A Systems-Based Vision
Beyond individual indicators, Algeria's National Cancer Plan 2035 reflects a broader transformation in cancer care organization. Rather than focusing exclusively on therapeutic access, the strategy adopts a comprehensive systems-based approach integrating prevention, governance, infrastructure, pharmaceutical security, education, research, and patient-centered care. The plan reflects a multisectoral vision involving healthcare institutions, academic organizations, policymakers, researchers, pharmacists, civil society stakeholders, and international partners.
From a global oncology perspective, this approach aligns with contemporary cancer control frameworks emphasizing prevention, early diagnosis, equitable access to care, and sustainable healthcare planning. Ultimately, the plan represents an ambitious effort to build a more organized, equitable, resilient, and sustainable oncology system capable of addressing future healthcare challenges while improving outcomes for patients across the country.