Our History

SF CAN was launched in November 2016 as a citywide collaboration to reduce the incidence and mortality of the most common cancers in San Francisco through evidence-based prevention, screening, early detection, and equitable access to care.

Conceived by UCSF in partnership with the San Francisco Department of Public Health, SF CAN brought together healthcare systems, community organizations, researchers, clinicians, and public health leaders around a shared commitment to improving cancer outcomes for all San Franciscans.

The initiative was shaped by the leadership of Dr. Alan Ashworth, Director of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Dr. Robert Hiatt. SF CAN was publicly announced at a launch event at San Francisco City Hall attended by Mayor Ed Lee and leaders from its founding partner organizations.

A Decade of Impact

Over the past decade, SF CAN has demonstrated the power of collaboration to improve cancer prevention, screening, and equity across San Francisco. By bringing together researchers, healthcare providers, public health agencies, and community organizations, SF CAN has translated evidence into policy, innovative programs, and measurable improvements in cancer prevention and early detection. Highlights from the past 10 years include:

Advancing Tobacco Control Through Policy

SF CAN partners helped support San Francisco's landmark prohibition on the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes. This work contributed to statewide policy change through California Senate Bill 793 and helped reduce tobacco-related health inequities, particularly among communities disproportionately targeted by menthol tobacco marketing.

Reimagining Tobacco Cessation

SF CAN developed innovative approaches to tobacco cessation, including Quit the Hit, a social media–based cessation program that uses Instagram group chats to engage adolescents and young adults. The initiative has demonstrated improved quit rates and is now expanding beyond California. In parallel, SF CAN created community-pharmacist partnerships that deliver cessation counseling and nicotine replacement therapy directly to people experiencing homelessness through shelters and community outreach.

Improving Cancer Screening in Community Clinics

Through Quality Improvement Stipend Programs, SF CAN has partnered with community health centers across San Francisco to implement evidence-based strategies that increase breast and colorectal cancer screening. Participating clinics receive funding, technical assistance, staff training, and opportunities to share best practices, contributing to improved screening rates and earlier detection.

Preventing Liver Cancer Through Hepatitis Elimination

The Liver Cancer Task Force has helped advance San Francisco's nationally recognized hepatitis elimination efforts through partnerships with End Hep C SF, SF Hep B Free, and the DeLIVER Van. These collaborations have expanded testing, treatment, and outreach.

Advancing Equitable Prostate Cancer Care

SF CAN developed the Smarter Screening, Smarter Treatment (S3T) initiative to improve early detection of aggressive prostate cancer while reducing unnecessary testing and treatment. The program emphasizes risk-stratified screening, particularly for Black men who experience disproportionately high prostate cancer mortality.