Evolution of the joint IAEA, IARC, and WHO cancer control assessments (imPACT Reviews)

A new Policy Review by researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and partner institutions presents the evolution of the IAEA, IARC, and WHO joint advisory service to help countries assess national capacities and the readiness of the health system to plan and implement cancer control strategies. These assessments are known as integrated mission of Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (imPACT) Reviews. The Policy Review was published in The Lancet Oncology.

The researchers describe the methodology of imPACT Reviews and present several country case studies. imPACT Reviews consist of a standardized assessment of the different aspects of cancer control – prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, palliation of symptoms, and survivorship – as well as cancer surveillance and governance. Each agency is responsible for specific topics; the IARC assessment covers cancer surveillance and early detection.

The joint imPACT Reviews programme supports national health authorities in planning an integrated and specific approach to cancer control and measuring progress in implementation. Since the programme began in 2005, 111 imPACT Reviews have been implemented in 96 countries and more than 800 experts have been deployed.

Veljkovikj I, Ilbawi AM, Roitberg F, Luciani S, Barango P, Corbex M, et al.
Evolution of the joint International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and WHO cancer control assessments (imPACT Reviews)
Lancet Oncol, Published online 26 September 2022;
https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(22)00387-4

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