To enhance cancer control activities in Indonesia, ICF started the development of several programs in cancer research in Indonesia.

In cooperation with national and international institutions research is going on focussing on epidemiology patterns, risk factors, life style, and traditional medicine in connection with certain types of cancer.

Prior to 1995, ICF funded research projects. From 1995 onwards, ICE in collaboration with Terry Fox Foundation organized Terry Fox Run annually, to raise funds for cancer research.

ICF sponsored a breast cancer research project by a scientist in Yogyakarta, Central Java and his work has received acknowledgement from the Asian Clinical Oncology Society (ACOS) in 1999.

Based on the conclusion of the National Cancer Conference held in 2000, cancer research priorities are on these ten types of cancer:

1. Cervical Cancer
2. Breast Cancer
3. Liver Cancer
4. Skin Cancer
5. Nasopharyngeal Cancer
6. Lung Cancer
7. Colorectal Cancer
8. Leukemia
9. Malignant Trophoblast
10. Malignant Lymphoma

In the field of cancer registration, ICF started a patnology-based registrationThis is conducted in cooperation with the Indonesian Pathology Association in thirteen hospitals in regional areas that have cancer units.
ICF Central Java Chapter initiated a community-based registration in Semarang named Semarang Cancer Incidence.

Community-based registration is part of the Integrated Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, which started in Sidoardjo (East Java) in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, the Family Welfare Program (PKK) and ICF.

ICF assisted the Ministry of Health in initiating a hospital-based cancer registry. In Jakarta, ICE took part in establishing a pilot project hospital -based cancer registry in the National General Hospital (Rumah Sakit Cipto Mangunkusumo).