From Evidence to Action: the IARC’s Role in Strengthening Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

Prevention and early detection are central to reducing the global cancer burden, yet implementation remains uneven, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This narrative review synthesizes the contributions of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to translating evidence into policy and practice worldwide across vaccination, screening, and early diagnosis. Key advances include generating evidence that enabled the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of single-dose human papillomavirus vaccination; contributions to WHO Elimination of Cervical Cancer Initiative and Global Initiative on Breast Cancer; development of guidance for Helicobacter pylori screen-and-treat strategies; building decision platforms to optimize cost-effective strategies; and establishing CanScreen5 to benchmark cancer screening program performance globally. IARC led European Union screening status reports, codeveloped quality-assurance schemes, and standardized performance indicators. Through implementation research, capacity-building, and codesigned solutions, IARC supports prostate, gastric, and lung cancer screening pilots and equity-oriented approaches that strengthen health-care systems. By embedding evidence, modeling, and governance, IARC helps countries transition from pilots to population-level impact, accelerating progress toward WHO targets and equitable outcomes in cancer control.