As I sat in the UN General Assembly Hall in New York last month, surrounded by global leaders and changemakers, I found myself reflecting not just on the change we can make in the world, but on my deeply personal reasons for being there.
- My father died from COPD, a tobacco-related disease.
- My mother is alive today because of early detection of cervical abnormal cells, which would have developed to cancer - and may not have been found if we lived elsewhere.
- And it’s one year since my grandmother passed away from cancer, after bravely facing breast, bowel, and blood cancers over her lifetime.
These personal experiences aren’t just memories - they’re motivating forces.
They fuel my fight for tobacco control, for equitable access to cancer prevention, treatment and care, and for a world where no one’s postcode determines their chance of survival.
And I know I’m not alone. We’ve all lost someone. We’ve all felt the impact.
It’s what drives me every day - to use the power of the law to save lives, and to spare as many people as possible the heartbreak of losing someone they love too soon.
That’s why this fight is personal, and it’s urgent.
Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs): A Global Health Crisis
“By 2050, the number of people living with diabetes, cancer and dementia will double,”
- Professor Anushka Patel, The George Institute for Global Health.
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) — including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory conditions — are the leading cause of death globally, and we know this burden is growing.
In 2021, they were responsible for 43 million deaths with 77% of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries, underscoring a major but often overlooked global health challenge. The Pacific region is at the centre of the global NCD crisis.
The impact of NCDs goes beyond health — they strain healthcare systems, deepen poverty, and widen inequalities. Addressing them is essential to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to reduce premature NCD deaths by one-third by 2030.
Fortunately, solutions exist. Early detection, affordable treatment, and integrated care can save lives and reduce costs. Governments and stakeholders must prioritise prevention and invest in health systems that support long-term management. We know what works. With coordinated action, we can reduce the burden of NCDs and build healthier, more equitable communities.
Source: WHO – see more here.
And for Cancer
“By 2050, there could be 35 million new cancer cases every year, hitting low- and middle-income countries the hardest. Behind each and every one of these 35 million is a person – someone’s child, parent, partner or friend. And every cancer case places a heavy burden on families, communities and economies” - Dr Cary Adams, CEO, UICC.
Why the law is so powerful in cancer control
Law is one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against cancer.
It shapes the environments we live in, influences behaviours, and protects public health through policies that prevent exposure to cancer risks.
Strong legal frameworks not only defend essential health protections but also create lasting change.
That’s why I’m so proud to lead the McCabe Centre, working with governments and policymakers across the world, to make a very real difference in people’s lives, by ensuring the law protects and supports them.
Our contribution to the Political Declaration
I’m honoured to have played a role in contributing to the Political Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health. In the lead-up to the UN High-Level Meeting, we worked closely with the Union for International Cancer Control, World Cancer Research Fund International, and other members of the UICC’s global network of advocates including Breast Cancer Network Australia, to coordinate advocacy directly with government representatives in New York and Geneva.
In Australia, the McCabe Centre and The George Institute for Global Health convened a pivotal event at Parliament House in Canberra. The discussions underscored the urgency of coordinated, well-resourced, and accountable responses to the NCD crisis, with speakers highlighting the transformative potential of investing in prevention, early detection, and equitable treatment.
See more here.
Our Statement at the UN Assembly – Panel 1
The McCabe Centre was invited to contribute as part of Panel 1 on good governance and multisectoral coordination – however, on the day, due to time constraints only a few non-state actors were called upon to speak, but we submitted our statement which can be read here. We emphasised that decisions made in New York will only save lives if they are implemented in laws and budgets at home, defended in courtrooms, and protected against conflicts of interest.
The Political Declaration - what’s in and what’s missing for Cancer Control
An overwhelming majority of member states endorsed a new political declaration on NCDs and mental health, reaffirming key commitments for cancer care and setting new targets to guide global action through 2030.
As highlighted by UICC, the declaration safeguards goals such as eliminating cervical cancer, improving childhood cancer survival rates to 60%, and expanding access to diagnostics and treatment. It also introduces new priorities, including reducing liver cancer deaths, integrating breast cancer into national health plans, and addressing antimicrobial resistance in cancer care.
Civil society organisations and advocates with lived experience played a vital role in shaping these outcomes, advocating for stronger commitments and practical implementation strategies.
However, the declaration falls short on prevention - arguably the most cost-effective way to reduce cancer deaths. Proposed fiscal measures such as excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks were diluted, and language around WHO-recommended ‘Best Buys’ was softened.
Despite strong advocacy from civil society, heavily funded commercial interests influenced the final text, leaving governments merely “encouraged” to consider proven interventions. With nearly half of cancer deaths linked to modifiable risk factors, the gap between ambition and action remains a concern.
The declaration now moves to the UN General Assembly for final approval in October 2025.
See more here.
What’s next
We live in a time of polycrisis: climate change, conflict and inequity. But law can be an anchor. It is a tool to turn political will into real, enforceable action on NCDs and mental health.
In the face of today’s challenges, there is hope - and a clear path forward.
Our shared task is now to maintain momentum and turn political commitments into concrete, equitable progress for people affected by cancer and other NCDs.
Solutions exist - what’s needed now is courage, unity and decisive action.
The time to act is now. By working together and committing to bold, sustained collaboration, we can ease the burden of cancer and other NCDs, and create a future where everyone has the opportunity to live a long, healthy life.
This mission is deeply personal to me, and it continues to fuel my fight for justice, prevention, and the rights of those affected.
See more on the Political Declaration – from UICC here and from NCDA here.