ASCO is committed to lessening the burden of cancer. As the primary providers of cancer care worldwide, our patients, their families, and the broader health care community look to us for guidance on identifying and reducing the risk of cancer through evidence-based strategies.

Our policy statements on cancer prevention cover a range of longstanding and developing issues, including alcohol and tobacco use, obesity, and cancer and HPV vaccinations, among others. The statements are meant to promote public awareness on how to reduce cancer risk, support policy efforts to reduce the risk of cancer through evidence-based strategies, provide education to the larger medical community about their role in reducing cancer risk, and identify areas of research on prevention-related topics.

Within the body of cancer prevention work, ASCO has consistently focused on reducing and eventually eliminating tobacco-related cancers by discouraging the use of tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) (such as electronic cigarettes), which have the potential to become a gateway for youth to use cancer-causing tobacco products. Roughly one in five young adults uses e-cigarettes daily or recreationally, according to ASCO’s 2019 National Cancer Opinion Survey.

ASCO policy statements provide commentary and analysis on important policy issues affecting the cancer community, including people with cancer and their cancer care teams. These statements are informed by volunteer leadership, who identify key policy issues and contribute to the development of ASCO’s policy positions.

Policy statements on cancer prevention include: