Establishment of the Russian Oncology Service after the Great Patriotic War

Oncology was officially acknowledged as a separate branch of medical science 75 years ago. Historically, it was landmarked by Order No. 323 of the People’s Commissariat for Health of the USSR of April 30, 1945 “On efforts to improve national oncology care”. This decision triggered deployment of a network of oncological institutions that covered almost the entire country in relatively short time and persists today. Aside to rapid revival of existing cancer institutions, new research centres for oncology and radiology, cancer dispensaries and rooms were being set up to gear universal and comprehensive case archival, due-time tumour diagnostics and vocational training, along with manifold other measures to contain cancer. A milestone event was the erection of the Oncological Society in 1954 by the Scientific Council Presidium of the USSR Ministry of Health. The Moscow and All-Union oncological societies contributed greatly to establishment of the Oncology Service and promoted the prestige of Soviet oncology, professional activity in the Union’s republics and overall effectiveness against cancer. Involvement of outstanding scientists, leading oncologists and healthcare decision makers in fostering the Oncology Service cannot be overstated. Today, a progress is made towards understanding the roots of cancer, supply of medical institutions with state-of-the-art equipment, implementation of effective diagnostic and therapy practices. Nevertheless, as yet timely remain further enhancement of preventive medicine, deployment of regional programs for cancer monitoring, education and higher-level professional training, remodelling of diagnostics and care in specialised oncological and primary medical institutions, creation of a unified system for prevention, earlier diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

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