Cancer Moonshot on agenda during PM Modi’s US visit: What is it?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the annual Quad summit with leaders from Australia, Japan and the United States starting Saturday in Delaware, US.
Besides issues like the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, maritime security and climate and clean energy, the leaders will be discussing Joe Biden’s ambitious project – the Cancer Moonshot Initiative.
WHAT IS THE CANCER MOONSHOT INITIATIVE?
The Cancer Moonshot, funded by the 21st Century Cures Act in 2016, focuses on areas of cancer research with the greatest potential to benefit patients through new investments.
The initiative has united patients, advocates, researchers, and doctors to work together, advancing research to improve the lives of cancer patients, those at risk, and their families. The goal is to speed up progress in preventing, detecting, and treating cancer.
Joe Biden inaugurated the initiative when he was the vice president during the Obama presidency, following the death of his son Beau Biden from glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer.
The initiative focuses on addressing these key areas to reduce the burden of the disease.
WHAT IS THE SIXTH QUAD CANCER MOONSHOT INITIATIVE ABOUT?
The Quad Cancer Moonshot Initiative is a program that will focus on expanding cervical cancer preventive measures, increasing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations, which target the primary cause of cervical cancer, and improving patient treatment options, as per a report by the New York Times.
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
It’s primarily caused by persistent infection with high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Early detection through screening significantly improves treatment outcomes. It is a highly preventable and treatable disease when detected early.

Joe Biden inaugurated the initiative when he was the vice president, following the death of his son Beau from glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. (Photo: Getty Images)

Despite this, cervical cancer remains the fourth most common cancer among women globally, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In 2020, the WHO launched a global strategy aimed at eliminating cervical cancer. This plan sets ambitious targets, including the goal of vaccinating 90% of girls against the human papillomavirus (HPV) by the age of 15.
HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer, and widespread vaccination could significantly reduce the incidence of the disease.
In 2021, just five months into his presidency, Biden announced a new partnership with Japan, India and Australia to expand global vaccine manufacturing capacity. Biden’s cancer moonshot aims to “end cancer as we know it.”
The President and First Lady announced the plan to rekindle the initiative and set a goal of reducing the death rate from cancer by 50% over the next 25 years.
In June, US First Lady Jill Biden announced a five-year commitment to Gavi, an international organisation that works to expand access to vaccines and that will support the effort, of over $1.58 billion.

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. (Photo: Getty Images)

Australia has set a goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035, potentially becoming the first country to do so. It is also leading efforts to reduce the disease within the region.
The Quad Cancer Initiative, led by US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, will build on Australia’s progress in combating cervical cancer.
In September 2022, Biden discussed the initiative at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, marking the 60th anniversary of Kennedy’s historic “moonshot” speech on space exploration.
In the Union Budget 2024, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman encouraged vaccination for girls aged between 9 and 14 years for the prevention of cervical cancer.
According to the National Cancer Institute, clinical trials are the way new cancer prevention, screening, and treatment approaches are evaluated, and they are a fundamental part of how cancer drugs and devices are developed and brought to patients.
HOW DOES INDIA STAND TO GAIN FROM THE CANCER MOONSHOT PROGRAMME?
While India is in the midst of an increasing epidemic of non-communicable diseases, the cancer moonshot initiative will help advance cancer prevention, early detection and treatment through the US-India Cancer Dialogue.
Non-communicable diseases, including cancer, cause 63% of all deaths in India. By 2025, cancer cases in the country are projected to rise by nearly 13% compared to 2020. Besides this, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India.
In August, the US Embassy in New Delhi hosted the first US-India Cancer Moonshot Dialogue, emphasising research collaboration and innovation. US Ambassador Eric Garcetti highlighted the partnership’s significance in promoting a healthier future through shared values and joint action.
According to a statement from the US Embassy, the US-India Cancer Moonshot Dialogue aims to advance collaboration on AI-driven innovation for cancer care, novel therapies such as vaccines and immunotherapy, and cost-effective, equitable treatment options.
It will also focus on precision medicine, cancer genomics, regulatory frameworks for clinical trials, and capacity building.
The sixth Quad Summit brings together India, Australia, Japan and the United States. PM Modi will join US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday.
India will be hosting the next Quad Summit.