Merck and City Cancer Challenge expand global partnership to strengthen women’s cancer care
This initiative aims to reach more than 300,000 women living with cancer around the world by 2030
May 14, 2026
Millions of women around the world are diagnosed with cancer every year. Breast, cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancers accounted for nearly one in five new cancer cases and 1.3 million deaths globally in 2022. Research suggests that some of the deaths from these cancers may be avoided through a combination of effective public health policies, earlier detection and timely medical care.
At Merck, we recognize the importance of working with organizations committed to closing gaps in care for people who need it most. That’s why we’re expanding our partnership with City Cancer Challenge (C/Can) with a five-year, $10 million investment to improve cancer care for women in 15 cities around the world through community-led collaboration.
What is City Cancer Challenge?
C/Can is an international non‑profit organization that brings together public and private partners at the city level to design, plan and implement practical solutions to help address gaps in cancer care. The organization leverages the unique value of cities as enablers in a health system’s response to cancer. C/Can works with municipal leaders, health authorities, clinicians and patient groups in cities across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), reaching over 764,000 patients with opportunities for improved quality of care.
Supporting the Thriving Cities, Healthy Women initiative
Merck has been a partner of C/Can since the organization’s founding in 2019. Building on this work, we’re investing in its new “Thriving Cities, Healthy Women” initiative to help close gaps in access to cancer screening and care for women in LMICs across Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe.
“Too many women are diagnosed too late, receive care too late or never receive care at all. That’s not inevitable — it’s fixable. Prioritizing women and health does not only benefit women and their families, it can also be a powerful lever for stronger health systems, economic resilience and social progress.”
- Isabel Mestres
CEO, City Cancer Challenge
By 2030, the partnership aims to:
Reach more than 300,000 women with cancer through improved access to care
Train more than 2,000 health professionals through capacity building and mentorship
Benefit more than 11 million women through influencing policy, replication and scale-up of patient initiatives
“People should be able to access timely cancer care — no matter where they live. By partnering with City Cancer Challenge, we’re working city by city to strengthen local systems so more women can be diagnosed earlier and get the care they need close to home.”
- Kalahn Taylor‑Clark, Ph.D., MPH
Vice president and head of social impact and sustainability, Merck
How we’re closing the cancer care gap
Women often navigate cancer with unique responsibilities and pressures. Socioeconomic barriers, geography, caregiving demands and other factors can stand in the way of early detection and timely diagnosis. In many settings, women experience delayed referrals, unclear diagnostic pathways and long waits to access care — all of which may lead to worse outcomes.
“By investing in the health of women, we invest in stronger families, resilient communities and more productive societies.”
- Jenelle Krishnamoorthy, Ph.D.
Senior vice president and head of global policy and public affairs, Merck
Through our partnership with C/Can, participating cities will work toward measurable, sustainable improvements in women’s cancer care to:
- Expand access to screening, as early detection may impact outcomes
- Reduce the time from suspicion of cancer to confirmed diagnosis or rule-out
- Increase the number of women initiating cancer care plans soon after diagnosis
Read more about our partnership with City Cancer Challenge and commitment to expanding access to women’s cancer care.
