Created in 1965
The International Agency for Research on Cancer was created on 20 May 1965 by a resolution of the World Health Assembly, as the specialised cancer agency of the WHO. Its first members were the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States; membership has since grown to 30 countries.
In Lyon
IARC’s headquarters building was provided by its host in Lyon, France. Its address is 25 avenue Tony Garnier in Lyon.
The Monographs
IARC’s best-known work is the Monographs programme, which identifies cancer hazards. How its groups work is explained on Groups 1, 2A, 2B and 3.
Sources
- IARC, IARC History
- IARC, Welcome Pack (PDF)
- IARC, IARC Monographs on the Identification of Carcinogenic Hazards to Humans: Questions and Answers (PDF)
Sources checked on: 1 November 2026