The impact of six decades of cancer research: an interview with IARC Director Dr Elisabete Weiderpass

In 2026, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) marks 60 years as the World Health Organization’s specialised cancer research agency, whose mandate is to generate and coordinate rigorous evidence on what causes cancer and how that knowledge can shape effective cancer control.

To close its anniversary year, IARC is convening a major 60th Anniversary Scientific Conference in Lyon (19–21 May 2026), for which UICC is an official partner.

Research is essential to improving the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer, because progress stems from a better understanding of what causes the disease and how it develops.

By clarifying risk factors – from environmental and occupational exposures to infections and behaviours – research helps countries reduce avoidable cancers through smarter regulation and public health action. At the same time, strengthening data and surveillance makes cancer patterns visible, revealing inequities and guiding programmes that improve early diagnosis and outcomes. 

In this interview, IARC Director Dr Elisabete Weiderpass reflects on six decades of evidence-building, and what it will take next to turn knowledge into prevention at scale.

Over the past 60 years, the scientific and public health landscape around cancer has changed dramatically. Which shifts have most shaped IARC’s work, and where do you believe the agency has had its greatest impact during this period?

When IARC was established in 1965, cancer was often regarded as an unavoidable consequence of ageing or fate. Since then, a succession of scientific advances and public health transformations has fundamentally altered how we understand, prevent, and control cancer. IARC has been both a witness to, and a driver of, many of these changes.

One of the most significant shifts has been the recognition that a substantial proportion of cancers are preventable. Scientific progress has made it possible to identify environmental, occupational, lifestyle, and infectious causes of cancer with increasing precision. 

IARC’s Monographs programme has played a pivotal role in this evolution by providing independent, transparent, and globally authoritative evaluations of carcinogenic hazards, often in areas where evidence is contested. These evaluations have informed regulations, exposure standards, and prevention policies worldwide, shaping action well beyond the scientific community. 

A second major transformation has been the emergence of global cancer surveillance and data-driven policy. Sixty years ago, reliable population-based cancer data were scarce in many parts of the world. Today, cancer registries and global estimates are central to cancer control planning. Through initiatives such as the Global Initiative for Cancer Registry Development (GICR), and sustained capacity-building efforts, IARC has become a global reference for cancer surveillance, enabling countries to understand their cancer burden, anticipate future trends, and prioritise effective interventions. 

A third defining shift has been the growing awareness of global inequities in cancer risk, outcomes, and access to services. IARC has consistently focused on generating evidence that is relevant across diverse settings and on strengthening research and public health capacity where needs are greatest.

Over six decades, tens of thousands of professionals from around the world, many from low‑resource contexts, have been trained through IARC-led programmes, networks, and partnerships, ensuring that knowledge does not remain concentrated in a few regions. 

The Agency’s enduring contribution lies in providing trusted, independent science that underpins prevention and policy: identifying cancer hazards, translating complex evidence into clear assessments, producing globally comparable cancer data, and generating the scientific evidence that allows countries to act. This role is particularly critical in areas where economic interests, political pressures, or scientific uncertainty can impede decision-making.

The landscape continues to evolve through advances in molecular science, digital technologies, and implementation research. IARC’s core mission remains unchanged, however: ensuring that cancer research leads to real, measurable benefits for population health. In a world facing a growing cancer burden and widening inequalities, the need for independent science in the service of prevention has never been greater.

The 60th anniversary scientific conference in Lyon, 19-21 May focuses on improving the links between researchers and policymakers so evidence is actually used in decision‑making. What outcomes and insights do you hope these discussions will generate?

The central ambition of the IARC@60 conference is to move beyond describing the science–policy gap and to focus on how it can be bridged in practice. By bringing researchers, policymakers, funders, and practitioners into the same conversations, we hope the discussions will generate both practical insights and longer‑lasting relationships that strengthen how evidence is used in real‑world decision-making.

One key outcome we expect is greater clarity on what makes scientific evidence actionable for policymakers. The Conference is structured around a clear continuum: from global cancer data to research, from evidence to policy, and from policy to implementation. decision-makingDiscussions should help identify the forms of evidence, framing, and timing that are most useful for policy decisions, particularly in prevention, early detection, and risk reduction, where long‑term benefits must often be weighed against short‑term constraints. 

A second insight we hope will emerge is a more nuanced understanding of the conditions that enable evidence to be taken up across different contexts. Cancer control policies do not operate in a vacuum; they are shaped by economic realities, institutional capacity, political priorities, and social values. By sharing experiences from high‑, middle‑, and low‑income settings, the Conference aims to highlight how similar scientific evidence can be translated into policy in different ways, and what can be learned from both successes and barriers. 

The IARC@60 conference also takes place at a moment when standing up for science has particular relevance. In an increasingly complex geopolitical context, where trust in evidence can be challenged and scientific findings are sometimes contested or politicised, the Conference reaffirms the importance of independent, transparent, and publicly accountable science as a foundation for sound policy. 

IARC’s role is not to make policy, but to ensure that policymakers have access to rigorous, transparent, and globally comparable evidence. By showcasing concrete examples of how data, hazard evaluations, and implementation research have informed national and international action, the discussions should clarify how independent science can support decision-making even in politically or commercially contested areas. 

Finally, an essential outcome we hope for is the strengthening of lasting networks between researchers and decision-makers. Sustainable progress depends not only on good evidence, but also on dialogue and trust. The Conference deliberately combines scientific sessions with ministerial and high‑level policy discussions, creating opportunities for exchange that extend beyond the event itself. Our expectation is that these connections will support better alignment between research agendas and policy needs in the years ahead. 

The ultimate measure of success will be whether the insights and partnerships generated in Lyon help ensure that high‑quality cancer research is more consistently translated into effective, equitable public health action worldwide.

With the global cancer burden rising and major preventable risk factors still widespread, what do you see as IARC’s most urgent priorities in research and evidence generation? 

A first priority is strengthening global cancer data as a foundation for action. Reliable, comparable information on cancer incidence, mortality, and trends is indispensable for effective policy. As populations grow and age, and as risk profiles shift, IARC’s role in producing global cancer estimates and supporting high‑quality cancer registries remains critical, particularly in low‑ and middle‑income countries where data gaps still limit planning and evaluation of cancer control programmes. 

A second urgent priority is deepening research on preventable cancer risk factors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, excess weight, infections, air pollution, occupational exposures, and environmental contaminants. Many of these risks account for a large share of the cancer burden worldwide, yet effective prevention remains under‑implemented. IARC’s research focuses on clarifying causal links, quantifying population‑level impact, and assessing how risks evolve in societies undergoing rapid social, economic, and environmental change. 

Within this, lung cancer and lung health represent a particularly pressing challenge. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death globally, driven largely by preventable exposures such as smoking, air pollution, and occupational hazards. Aligning surveillance, aetiological research, and prevention evidence in this area offers some of the greatest potential health gains and economic returns. 

A third priority is anticipating and addressing emerging and evolving cancer risks, including those linked to environmental change and planetary health. Climate change and chemical exposures, for example, are reshaping cancer patterns in ways that demand forward‑looking, multidisciplinary research. IARC’s mandate allows it to study these emerging threats early and to provide evidence that helps countries act proactively, rather than reactively, to protect future generations. 

Equally important is strengthening implementation research, understanding not only what works in cancer prevention but how interventions can be delivered effectively, affordably, and equitably in real‑world settings. 

Since becoming Director of IARC, what change or initiative are you most proud of, particularly in terms of strengthening global partnerships and impact?

One of the changes I am most proud of has been strengthening IARC’s role as a truly shared global scientific platform, shaped with international partners and designed for impact in countries.

Since becoming Director, a key priority has been to reposition IARC more clearly at the interface between research and decision-making, while deepening collaboration across our global ecosystem. This has been reflected most clearly in the development of the IARC Medium‑Term Strategy 2026–2030, which was built through an unusually inclusive consultative process involving Participating States, WHO colleagues, scientific leaders, funders, and IARC staff themselves. 

I am particularly proud of how we have strengthened global partnerships through shared scientific infrastructure rather than isolated projects. By investing in global public goods – such as cancer surveillance systems, independent hazard evaluations, implementation research, the World Code Against Cancer Framework, and capacity‑building networks – IARC enables countries not only to access evidence, but to contribute to it and adapt it for their own contexts. 

Another important initiative has been the closer alignment of IARC’s work with WHO and country‑led cancer initiatives, ensuring that research priorities are connected to real policy questions from the outset. This has strengthened the relevance and uptake of IARC’s evidence, particularly in areas such as prevention, screening, and implementation, where sustained collaboration is essential for impact. 

Ultimately, what I find most rewarding is seeing IARC increasingly recognised not just as a centre of scientific excellence, but as a trusted convenor and partner – one that listens, connects, and helps countries turn evidence into action. 

We are seeing a proliferation of misinformation and an erosion of trust in public health. WHO has called on governments, scientists, health workers, partners, and the public to stand and support science‑led solutions for a healthier future. How can that be achieved? What role can IARC and other research and health organisations play to counter misinformation and rebuild trust in evidence-based policies? 

Misinformation and declining trust in science and public health are among the most serious challenges facing cancer prevention today. Rebuilding trust does not come from simply repeating facts more loudly; it requires credible institutions, transparency in how evidence is produced, and sustained engagement with those who use that evidence.

A first and essential step is to protect and strengthen the independence and integrity of science. Trust grows when people understand not only what the evidence says, but how conclusions are reached, and that they are free from political or commercial influence. 

This is why independent assessment, open methods, and transparent governance remain fundamental to evidence‑based policy. Organisations such as IARC contribute by providing globally trusted public goods – cancer statistics, hazard evaluations, and standards – that are produced through rigorous, impartial processes, and subjected to international peer review. 

Second, countering misinformation requires making evidence accessible, relevant, and usable for policymakers, health professionals, and the public. Scientific rigor alone is not enough if findings remain abstract or disconnected from real‑world needs. Research and health organisations have a responsibility to translate complex evidence into clear, policy‑relevant messages and tools, while being honest about uncertainty and limitations. This includes showing how evidence evolves and why guidance may change as knowledge improves—an approach that ultimately strengthens, rather than undermines, trust. 

Third, trust is reinforced through dialogue and partnership, not one‑way communication. WHO’s call to stand up for science, notably at this year’s World Health Day on 7 April, recognises that evidence is most credible when it is developed and applied in collaboration with countries, communities, and decision-makers. By convening diverse actors in neutral, science‑led spaces, research institutions can help bridge different perspectives, address concerns openly, and ensure that policies are informed by both global evidence and local realities.. 

Finally, rebuilding trust means demonstrating impact over time. People are more likely to trust evidence when they see how it contributes to concrete improvements in health, equity, and well‑being. Research organisations therefore have a responsibility not only to generate knowledge, but also to track and communicate how that knowledge informs policy and practice, and how it improves lives. 

In this context, IARC’s role, and that of other research and health organisations, is to stand firmly for independent, transparent, and globally shared science, while working closely with WHO, governments, and partners to ensure that evidence remains a trusted foundation for public health decisions. At a time of uncertainty and competing narratives, standing up for science ultimately means standing up for the public interest and for a healthier future for all.

On the third day of the Conference, we will open these discussions more broadly to the public through a dedicated session titled “Fake News vs Scientific Truths.” At a time when cancer-related misinformation is spreading widely, particularly through social media and digital platforms, this session responds to a major public health challenge: helping people distinguish false information from established scientific knowledge.

IARC and UICC have been described as “sister organisations”. From your perspective, what makes this partnership unique, and how has it strengthened global cancer control? 

IARC and UICC are often described as “sister organisations” because our mandates are distinct but deeply complementary, and our partnership is built on a shared commitment to prevention‑focused, evidence‑based cancer control.

What makes this partnership unique is that it connects independent science with global advocacy and action. IARC’s role is to generate and evaluate impartial scientific evidence on cancer burden, causes, and prevention, while UICC mobilises a broad, global network of cancer organisations, policymakers, and advocates to turn that evidence into momentum for change. Together, this creates a powerful link between knowledge and impact, ensuring that high‑quality science does not remain confined to experts but informs global dialogue, national strategies, and public engagement. 

The partnership is also characterised by mutual trust and respect for institutional independence. Formal collaboration frameworks, including memoranda of understanding on joint research, education, and training initiatives, are designed to enable co‑created work, while preserving the scientific integrity and neutrality that are essential to IARC’s role and to UICC’s credibility as a convener of diverse voices. 

In practice, the collaboration has strengthened global cancer control by extending the reach and usability of evidence. Through joint initiatives, shared platforms, and coordinated engagement around major moments such as the IARC@60 Conference, scientific insights are brought directly into policy and advocacy spaces where they can influence real decisions. UICC’s global network amplifies IARC’s evidence, while IARC’s independent assessments reinforce the credibility of the messages being advanced. 

Importantly, the partnership also supports equity and capacity building, particularly in low‑ and middle‑income countries. By aligning IARC’s research and training efforts with UICC’s country‑level engagement and convening power, the partnership helps ensure that global evidence reflects diverse realities and that countries have the tools and confidence to act on it in their own contexts. 

Are there particular areas today – such as data for action, cancer registries, or work in low‑resource settings – where collaboration with UICC is especially effective? 

One of the most important areas today where collaboration between IARC and UICC is particularly effective is data for action, including cancer surveillance and cancer registries. IARC provides the global scientific infrastructure for surveillance. as I mentioned earlier, while UICC plays a critical role in connecting this evidence to national planners, advocates, and decision-makers. Through UICC’s networks, data produced or supported by IARC are more likely to be understood, trusted, and translated into national cancer plans and policies.

Closely linked to this is work on knowledge sharing in low‑resource settings, where collaboration with UICC is especially valuable. IARC focuses on strengthening technical capacity, such as training registry staff, researchers, and public health professionals, and supporting the development of sustainable research and surveillance systems. UICC complements this by engaging cancer control organisations, ministries, and civil society actors who are essential for turning technical capacity into durable national action and political commitment. 

Another area of strong synergy is the science–policy and science–advocacy interface. When UICC draws on IARC’s independent assessments and data, it strengthens the legitimacy of advocacy messages, particularly in contested areas such as prevention, regulation of risk factors, and investment in early detection. 

Joint engagement around major events such as the IARC@60 Conference and the World Cancer Congress is also highly effective, creating a continuum from science generation to global dialogue and follow‑up action. 

Looking ahead to the next decade, what scientific or public health breakthroughs do you believe will most shape the future of cancer prevention, and where do you see IARC playing a leading role?

The most transformative advances in cancer prevention are likely to come not from a single breakthrough, but from how science, data, and public health action are increasingly integrated.

One major development will be the continued strengthening of data for action. More timely, granular, and interoperable cancer data – linking incidence, risk factors, and outcomes – will allow countries to identify priorities earlier, track inequalities more precisely, and target prevention more effectively.IARC will continue to play a leading role by curating trusted global cancer data, supporting registry development worldwide, and ensuring that data are not only produced, but actively used for planning and evaluation.

A second area shaping the future of prevention is a deeper understanding of cancer risk across the life course and in changing environments. Advances in epidemiology and exposure science are making it possible to better capture complex and combined risk factors. As societies undergo rapid demographic, social, and environmental transitions, this type of research will be essential for anticipating future cancer patterns rather than reacting to them. 

Equally important is understanding how proven prevention strategies can be delivered effectively, affordably, and equitably in real‑world settings. The future of cancer prevention depends on ensuring that scientific advances benefit all populations, not just those with the strongest health systems. The next decade must therefore focus not only on what prevents cancer, but on how interventions such as vaccination, screening, risk‑factor reduction, and regulatory measures can be adapted to different health‑system and resource contexts. 

Another critical area is the growing recognition of prevention as a smart investment, not only for health but for social and economic resilience.. IARC will continue to contribute by producing independent assessments that quantify the burden of preventable cancers and clarify where prevention offers the greatest returns. 

Essentially, the coming decade will be shaped less by isolated discoveries than by the ability to connect data, discovery, and implementation. IARC’s unique role will be to ensure that high‑quality, independent science continues to serve as a global reference point, guiding prevention strategies that are effective, equitable, and grounded in evidence wherever people live.

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