IARC launches the Improving Cancer Care Coordination and Screening in Latvia and Slovakia (ICCCS) project

Scientists from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have launched the Improving Cancer Care Coordination and Screening in Latvia and Slovakia (ICCCS) project as part of a joint initiative with the European Commission and national ministries of health to support cancer control efforts in eastern Europe. The ICCCS project was officially launched in Riga, Latvia, on 17 March 2022.

The objective of the ICCCS project, which is aligned with Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, is to develop strategic plans and roadmaps in collaboration with national partners to help reduce cancer mortality in Latvia and Slovakia. Particular attention will be paid to building capacity for population-based cancer registration, improving information systems used to identify and invite eligible individuals for screening, creating a framework to monitor cancer screening programmes, and assisting oncology centres in receiving accreditation from the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes.

The goal of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan is for each country to ensure that more than 90% of the eligible populations have access to quality-assured screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer and that more than 90% of patients with cancer have access to comprehensive cancer centres. In addition, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan stresses that each country should strengthen cancer registration to enable the tracking of trends and national cancer burdens.