The core function of the Screening Group (SCR) at IARC is to provide data on the accuracy, reproducibility, efficacy, benefits, harmful effects, and cost-effectiveness of various early detection interventions for breast, cervical, colorectal, and oral cancers, among others, in reducing deaths and improving patients’ quality of life in various settings. These data can then be used to inform and improve the rational use of health-care resources. The Group’s ultimate objective is to guide the development of public health policies for implementing screening in a variety of health-care settings, in particular in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
SCR conducts field studies in LMICs to evaluate various early detection methods for breast, cervical, colorectal, and oral cancer control. These initiatives also address the means by which screening services could be scaled up through local public health services. SCR develops various training resources to catalyse and augment capacity building in close collaboration with national institutions and government health services. Through its research programme, SCR generates scientific evidence to support the development of resource-appropriate early detection policies and health systems for the delivery of effective early services. The Cancer Screening in 5 Continents (CanScreen5) project of the Group aims to collect information on characteristics and performance of cancer screening programmes around the world and disseminate such information for informed decision making in cancer screening programmes. For example, the Group significantly contributed also to the evaluation of the safety and efficacy of less than three doses of the HPV vaccine in protecting against cervical cancer.
![]() EMERGENCY: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic16/03/2020Regular updates on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak are available at the WHO website. |
![]() King Hussein Research Award22/01/2021HRH Princess Ghida Talal, Chairperson of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center, launched the King Hussein Cancer Research Award to honor Arab leaders in cancer research who have made outstanding achievements in the fields of prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care. Increased scientific research will lead us to a stronger future of confronting cancer in the Middle East region. We encourage you to visit the Award website. View the website |
![]() Highlighting NCI Support for Global Health Collaboration and Equity at London Global Cancer Week21/01/2021Despite the ongoing pandemic, the NCI Center for Global Health (NCI/CGH) hosted a webinar at London Global Cancer Week in November 2020. “International Collaboration to Advance Global Cancer Research: The US National Cancer Institute Perspective” showcased NCI-funded research training and collaborations, along with lessons learned and recommendations for building international partnerships to advance global cancer research and control. Consult a summary of the interventions, including a presentation from Dr Partha Basu on building a team to implement affordable technology to treat cervical cancer in Zambia. View the website |
![]() New publication: Acquisition, prevalence and clearance of type-specific human papillomavirus infections in young sexually active Indian women: A community-based multicentric cohort study19/01/2021In a new study, scientists from the IARC Screening group and partners in the Indian HPV Vaccine Study Group assessed type-specific prevalence, natural history, and potential determinants of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in 1484 unvaccinated married women aged 18–23 years. The study was published in the journal PLoS One. This study clearly shows that young Indian women are at high risk of being infected with HPV, especially HPV16, the most oncogenic type. This is a compelling reason for the Government of India to introduce HPV vaccination in the country, which currently accounts for one fifth of the global burden of cervical cancer. View the IARC news and view the article |
![]() New publication: Program organization rather than choice of test determines success of cervical cancer screening: Case studies from Bangladesh and India18/01/2021In this publication, the authors presented the case studies from Bangladesh and India, and highlighted that program organization, rather than the choice of a screening test, determines the success rate of cervical cancer screening. View the article |
Cheung L.C., Ramadas K., Muwonge R., Katki H.A., Thomas G., Graubard B.I., Basu P., Sankaranarayanan R., Somanathan T., Chaturvedi A.K. Risk-Based Selection of Individuals for Oral Cancer Screening. J Clin Oncol. 2021 Jan 15:JCO2002855. PMID: 33449824 |
Basu P., Zhang L., Hariprasad R., Carvalho A.L., Barchuk A. A pragmatic approach to tackle the rising burden of breast cancer through prevention & early detection in countries 'in transition'. Indian J Med Res 2020;152:343-55 PMID: 33380699 |
Muwonge R., Basu P., Gheit T., Anantharaman D., Verma Y., Bhatla N., Joshi S., Esmy P.O., Poli U.R.R., Shah A., Zomawia E., Shastri S.S., Pimple S., Prabhu P.R., Hingmire S., Chiwate A., Sauvaget C., Lucas E., Malvi S.G., Siddiqi M., Sankaran S., Kannan T.P.R.A., Varghese R., Divate U., Vashist S., Mishra G., Jadhav R., Tommasino M., Pillai M.R., Sankaranarayanan R., Jayant K.; Acquisition, prevalence and clearance of type-specific human papillomavirus infections in young sexually active Indian women: A community-based multicentric cohort study. Indian HPV vaccine study group. PLoS One. 2020 Dec 29;15(12):e0244242. PMID: 33373380 |