Four phases in the evolution of cancer control frameworks are reviewed, highlighting how national Canadian and United States planning and implementation activities have built on each other's work to define and guide cancer control research. Hallmarks have come to be: (a) coordination of the cycle that applies research to practice and policy decisions; (b) synthesis of knowledge at each phase of cancer control framework; (c) a focus on populations and public health with feedback loops between fundamental and applied research; and (d) interdisciplinary integration of the biological, behavioral, social, and other population sciences. Current research priorities and initiatives based on the research framework now common to both Canada and the United States are described. We conclude by calling for an international forum for the systematic advancement of cancer control research, and closer ties between the cancer control communities in North America.