About the Danish Cancer Society
One in three people in Denmark is diagnosed with cancer before turning 75. Two out of three have a family member who suffers from cancer. Confronted with these statistics, the Danish Cancer Society is committed to uniting Denmark to ensure proactive and cohesive efforts against cancer.
We work for a life without cancer
Our vision
- A life without cancer
Our mission
- Reduce the number of cancer cases
- Increase the number of cancer survivors
- Improve quality of life for those living with and after cancer
Our main purposes
- Research
- Prevention
- Support for patients and their relatives
We are a private organisation funded by donations from the public: 97% of our income comes from the public and 3% comes from the government. The funds are allocated to our three main objectives: Research, prevention and support for patients and their relatives.
Facts about cancer
One in three people in Denmark are diagnosed with cancer before turning 75.
Every hour, five people in Denmark are diagnosed with cancer.
Every day, 44 people die of cancer in Denmark
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Denmark, however progress in research and treatment has led to increased survival rates.
Four out of ten cancer cases are preventable.
Two out of three people diagnosed with cancer are still alive after 5 years.
The Danish Cancer Society's main purposes
Research
The Danish Cancer Society supports cancer research at hospitals and universities throughout Denmark as well as operating our own research facility, the Danish Cancer Institute (DCI). Our center hosts some of the world's leading cancer researchers, with approximately 293 employees from 30 different nationalities working together.
By funding our outstanding cancer researchers, DCI consistently delivers results at a high international level.
The research we support must be of the highest quality and have the potential to make a real difference for patients. This includes research in new diagnostics, new treatment principles, sequelae and rehabilitation.
Prevention
The Danish Cancer Society operates the country's largest knowledge centre for cancer prevention. Our specialists work daily to help the public reduce the risk of getting cancer. This work is based on robust research on the major risk factors causing cancer and analyses of the population's health behaviour.
On average, four out of ten cancer cases can be prevented, but social inequality significantly increases the risk of developing cancer. Therefore, we strive to make it easier for everyone to live a healthy, good and long life without cancer. We do this through information campaigns, partnerships and counselling. Our areas of focus include tobacco and nicotine, diet, physical activity, sun exposure, overweight, alcohol, HPV vaccination and early detection and screening.
Patient and relative support
Cancer is life-changing for most people, impacting both those diagnosed and their relatives. Our ambition is that no one should face cancer alone. We work nationwide, alongside our dedicated volunteers, to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their relatives – both during and after living with cancer.
Employees and dedicated volunteers from the Danish Cancer Society offer free counselling and support, host activities and build communities nationwide. We can be reached physically at our cancer counselling centres and services at 44 locations across Denmark. Additionally, support is available via our cancer hotline at 80 30 10 30, and through our online counselling services at cancer.dk, our digital forum 'Cancerforum,' and the app 'Sammenholdet' (Solidarity).
Organisation - Who are we?
Members
Being diagnosed with cancer evokes strong emotions, compelling many to take action. The Danish Cancer Society has nearly 400,000 members – equivalent to approximately 10% of the adult population in Denmark.
Our work would not be possible without the support of our members, the public, businesses and foundations. Thanks to this widespread public support, the Danish Cancer Society wields significant influence when advocating for cancer patients and their relatives.
Volunteers are at the heart of our organisation
Volunteer engagement is the cornerstone of the Danish Cancer Society's work. More than 35,000 people volunteer their time and effort for cancer initiatives, making invaluable contributions to cancer patients and their relatives.
We are a democratic membership organisation where members and volunteers steer the course of the association. The volunteers represent the highest authority of the Danish Cancer Society. They elect the president, determine the organisation's statutes and select our overarching priorities.
Employees
In addition to our volunteer base, we have 702 dedicated full-time employees working in research, prevention and support for patients and relatives.
Economy
The Danish Cancer Society is independent of political and economic interests.
Our efforts are sustained by public support and financed through contributions from individuals and businesses, through memberships, donations, foundation grants, inheritance and other forms of support.
Government funding accounts for only 3% of our total resources.
Learn more about Cancer and the Danish Cancer Society:
Brief introduction
The booklet 'Help and Information' covers some of the topics that may become relevant when you have cancer. The booklet also outlines your options for counselling with the Danish Cancer Society. You can order the booklet free of charge in our webshop or download the booklet as a pdf below.