Charter of Paris against Cancer

Lore & Background

In 1999, Professor David Khayat decided with several colleagues to draw attention from governments and public opinion to the fight against cancer. During a meeting in Paris among specialists, including David Khayat and doctors Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, Peter Harper, James F. Holland, Lawrence H. Einhorn, and Martine Piccart, the idea emerged to create the Charter of Paris against cancer, an international political document establishing general principles for global action against the disease. On February 4, 2000, at the Élysée Palace, the Charter was signed by French President Jacques Chirac, UNESCO Director-General Kōichirō Matsuura, and over a hundred doctors, oncologists, and biologists from around the world. The text was subsequently intended to be signed by politicians, doctors, patients, and their families.

Reader's Guide

The Charter of Paris against Cancer represents a landmark international effort to unify global action against cancer. Its ten articles define principles ranging from patient dignity and non-discrimination to support for medical research, prevention, screening, and quality of care. The Charter's ratification by the French government led to a National Cancer Control Program, which foreshadowed the first Cancer Plan announced in 2003 and gave rise to the French National Cancer Institute in 2005. The Charter continues to be promoted by the AVEC Foundation, established by oncologist David Khayat, which annually presents the Charter of Paris against Cancer Awards at a gala at the Palace of Versailles. Several countries, including Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, joined the Charter in subsequent years, extending its reach beyond the initial 156 signatories from about thirty countries.

Did You Know?

• February 4 was chosen as World Cancer Day in memory of the Charter's first signing on that date in 2000.
• The Charter was signed by cyclist Lance Armstrong in July 2000 at the conclusion of the Tour de France.
• Article 10 of the Charter proclaims February 4 as World Cancer Day.
• The AVEC Foundation, chaired by David Khayat, organizes an annual gala at the Palace of Versailles to present the Charter of Paris against Cancer Awards.

From a Paris Meeting to the Élysée Palace

In 1999, a group of oncology specialists gathered in Paris with a shared conviction: the global fight against cancer demanded more than scattered efforts. Professor David Khayat, alongside colleagues including Gabriel N. Hortobagyi, Peter Harper, James F. Holland, Lawrence H. Einhorn, and Martine Piccart, pushed for an international political document that would set universal principles for combating a disease the World Health Organization already ranked among the leading causes of death worldwide. Their vision crystallized into what would become the Charter of Paris against Cancer. The moment of ratification arrived on February 4, 2000, during the inaugural World Summit against Cancer. At the Élysée Palace, French President Jacques Chirac placed his name first on the document, joined by UNESCO Director-General Kōichirō Matsuura and more than a hundred physicians, oncologists, and biologists from across the globe. The Charter was deliberately designed not only for governments and medical professionals but also for patients and their families, making it a uniquely inclusive instrument in the landscape of international health policy.

Ten Articles, One Unified Vision

The Charter is structured around ten articles that collectively outline a comprehensive strategy for improving cancer care worldwide. Its philosophical foundation begins with Article 1, which affirms that every person living with cancer retains the full rights of any human being, establishing non-discrimination as a core principle. Article 2 calls for a fundamental shift in public perception, urging societies to view cancer as a potentially curable biological condition rather than a social stigma. The middle articles address practical imperatives: Article 3 commits signatories to bolstering government and industrial funding for both fundamental and clinical research, while Article 4 targets the reduction of survival-rate disparities through improved care quality. Prevention and accessibility feature prominently in Articles 5 and 6, the latter insisting that screening must be available regardless of race, nationality, or economic status. Articles 7 and 8 elevate the patient from passive recipient to active partner in treatment and demand attention to quality of life at every stage, including when cure is no longer possible. Finally, Articles 9 and 10 call for coordinated national strategies and international alliances, with Article 10 also designating February 4 as World Cancer Day.

A Growing Circle of Commitment

The initial signing on February 4, 2000, drew 156 signatories, the vast majority being physicians and oncologists who often headed specialized cancer research institutes. The diplomatic roster was equally distinguished: beyond President Chirac and UNESCO's Matsuura, the document bore the names of Elie Wiesel and Thailand's Princess Chulabhorn. Together, these signatories represented roughly thirty different nations. The Charter's reach extended beyond the medical and political worlds shortly after its launch. In July 2000, professional cyclist Lance Armstrong—himself a cancer survivor—added his signature at the conclusion of that year's Tour de France, lending the document a powerful personal dimension. Over the following years, additional countries formally joined the commitment: Tunisia in 2006, Ukraine in 2007, Uzbekistan in 2010, and Kazakhstan in 2011. To ensure the Charter's message transcended language barriers, it was translated into numerous languages with the backing of oncologists worldwide and major patient advocacy organizations, cementing its status as a truly global instrument for cancer policy.

From Ratification to a Living Institution

The Charter's impact on French policy was immediate and far-reaching. Its ratification by the French government triggered the simultaneous adoption of a National Cancer Control Program focused on strengthening prevention, screening, care quality, and patient rights. This program laid the groundwork for the first French Cancer Plan, announced by President Chirac on March 23, 2003, and carried out through 2007 with the dual goals of raising public awareness and implementing concrete measures against the disease. The initiative also gave birth to the French National Cancer Institute in 2005. Beyond national policy, the Charter's ongoing stewardship rests with the AVEC Foundation, established by oncologist David Khayat, one of the original architects of the text. Each year, the Foundation hosts a charity gala at the Palace of Versailles—a venue generously provided by the French State—drawing several hundred guests from music, cinema, politics, and business. At these events, the Charter of Paris against Cancer Awards are presented to individuals whose work has made a measurable difference in the global fight against cancer, keeping the 2000 commitment alive and visible.