UICC membership survey reveals high satisfaction and valuable insights

Early this year, UICC conducted a survey of its member organisations to gain a better understanding of the experiences, perspectives, and expectations of its membership. The survey received responses from 181 members across 82 countries, identifying UICC’s strengths and areas for improvement in its services.

The respondents represent 28% of full and associate members or 16% of total membership, including patient support groups, national cancer organisations, governmental agencies, professional associations, and research centres. This diversity underscores the broad impact of UICC's work and its ability to address the needs of various stakeholders in the global fight against cancer.

An overwhelming majority of respondents reported positive interactions with UICC, with 72% rating their experiences as "very good". Additionally, 93% of respondents feel well-informed about UICC's activities, reflecting the organisation's commitment to transparent and effective communication.

Overall, 81% of respondents reported being satisfied with their UICC membership, with 45% expressing that they are very satisfied. This marks a slight decline from 2022, where satisfaction stood at 85%. Levels varied by region, with Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean show the highest levels of contentment, and Europe showing a significant increase thanks to specific regional opportunities.

The survey further indicates that UICC's efforts to keep members informed have been largely successful, with 93% of respondents feeling well-informed about the organisation's activities. This is a notable improvement from previous years and shows UICC’s commitment to effective communication.

Among the top activities ranked as “very relevant” by members were the invitation to the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit, membership privileges at the World Cancer Congress, the World Cancer Day campaign, access to seed-funding and project grants, the Fellowships programme (including Virtual Fellowships and YY Study Grant) – both of which have experienced a 10% increase in relevancy since 2022 – online opportunities, and UICC’s Virtual Dialogues.[MA2] 

The survey also sheds light on the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on member organisations. Nearly half of the respondents reported reductions in income over the past two years, while others highlighted challenges such as increased out-of-pocket expenses for patients and difficulties in volunteer recruitment.

“We really appreciate the feedback our members have given us, and while we are pleased with the overall satisfaction levels across many regions, the slight decrease from 2022, notably in North America, is a matter of priority for us. We take to heart suggested areas for development, such as membership benefits, and are encouraged to note that after facing the unique challenges of the COVID-10 pandemic, our members anticipate growth across key areas, particularly in activities and services. We are committed to enhancing our offering, particularly by increasing engagement opportunities and facilitating international cooperation, ensuring that our support aligns more closely with the unique needs of all our members.”
– Muriel Auclaire, Head of Membership

The organisation continues to be highly valued for its global network and resources. Members praised the organisation’s responsiveness and the quality of its content, with many noting the benefits of participating in UICC’s events, such as World Cancer Day and the World Cancer Congress. Regular engagement with UICC is common, with the majority of respondents interacting with the organisation on a monthly basis or more frequently.

UICC thanks all organisations for their participation in the survey, and congratulates the Society of Medical Oncology, Pakistan, for winning the draw for a free registration to the upcoming World Cancer Congress in Geneva, 17-19 September.