Supportive care in the world: an international opinion on MASCC's perspectives

Supportive care is no longer a secondary aspect of oncology; it is the foundation that enables people with cancer not only to survive but to live with dignity, comfort, and relief throughout and beyond treatment. In 2025, as cancer survival improves globally, the need to integrate supportive care as a universal standard has become increasingly urgent. This review is timely and relevant as it examines the current global landscape of supportive care and the persisting inequities that threaten its implementation across health systems.

Over the past three and a half decades, the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) has been central to the evolution of the field by advancing research, developing evidence-based guidelines, training health care professionals, and amplifying the voices of patients and caregivers. Despite this progress, major disparities remain. High-income countries increasingly embed supportive care within standard oncology practice, while many low- and middle-income countries face limited access to essential medicines, trained staff, and survivorship programs.

This commentary reflects an international perspective on where supportive care stands and where it must go. It highlights MASCC's contributions and future vision through its Study Groups, Centers of Excellence, and the Supportive Care 2030 Movement, a global roadmap for equity, universal access, and improved patient-reported outcomes. Supportive care is not optional; it is a right and a prerequisite for quality cancer care and survivorship, requiring sustained innovation, inclusivity, and global commitment.