INCA is a branch of the Ministry of Health. According to its Regiment, the National Cancer Institute is responsible for:

 Advising the Minister of Health regarding the formulation of a national policy for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
 Planning, organizing, excecuting, managing, running, controlling, and supervising plans, programs, projects and activities, at the national level, related to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer and like diseases.
 Running activities for training, and technical specialization, at all levels (undergraduate and postgraduate), in oncology.
 Coordinating, programming, and running clinical, epidemiological, and experimental (basic) research in oncology.
 Running medical and assistance services for cancer and like diseases.

A Governmental Decree gave INCA the strong mandate to become the leader for the development of a comprehensive cancer strategy for Brazil. This cancer strategy is to include:

Cancer care
INCA is considered to be the most prestigious public health institution in Brazil, with an excellent reputation for providing high quality of care at no cost to patients with cancer.

Prevention
Programs for prevention, early detection and surveillance on cancer are handled by the Cancer Prevention and Surveillance Coordination Unit - CONPREV in collaboration with the State Health Departments all over the Brazilian territory.

Education
The Education Program comprises teaching activities closely linked to research and treatment, in order to prepare professionals in oncology to be able to meet the needs of the Integrated Public Health System (SUS).

Research
Studies are focussed on basic and translational aspects of cellular biology, pharmacology, genetics and experimental medicine.

Directorate General

Dr. Luiz Antonio Santini was nominated as Director General by the Ministry of Health in July 2005.

The structure of The Directorate General is formed by its own Cabinet, the Communications and Public Affairs Division, the Juridical Assistance Branch, Ombudsman and two offices in Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia, respectively.

Two key components of the Organizational Structure support the Director General: the Strategic Affairs Coordination and the Cancer Care Coordination