The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the specialised cancer research agency of the World Health Organization (WHO). Created in 1965 in Lyon, IARC’s mission is to promote international collaboration in cancer research and understand the causes of cancer. With the support of 27 participating Member States, the Agency makes an exceptional contribution to the fight against cancer worldwide, by mobilising individuals and organisations around common values and objectives.

IARC is interdisciplinary, bringing together skills in epidemiology, laboratory sciences and biostatistics to identify the causes of cancer so that preventive measures may be adopted, and the burden of disease and associated suffering reduced. A significant feature of IARC is its expertise in coordinating research across countries and organisations; its independent role as an international organisation facilitates this activity.

Aligned with its WHO mandate, IARC has a particular interest in conducting research in low and middle-income countries through partnerships and collaborations with researchers in these regions. More about IARC/WHO.

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