Cancer control is the term applied to the development of integrated population-based approaches to reduce the incidence and mortality from cancer and to minimize its impact on affected individuals and on the community. It covers a spectrum of prevention, early diagnosis, optimal treatment, and supportive and palliative care. It emphasizes the application of new knowledge gained through research to achieve current best practice. Cancer control has become a political priority in many countries in recent years, with the evolution of both national and regional cancer control strategic plans. The integrated nature of cancer control, involving a wide spectrum of health care professionals, researchers, and health managers and planners, is reflected in this multi-disciplinary text, which is the first in this rapidly developing field.