World Cancer Research Day 2025
Message from the Scientific Director, Dr. Fei-Fei Liu

September 24th marks World Cancer Research Day. Each year, World Cancer Research Day celebrates the transformative progress made across the cancer research continuum, and recognizes the collective activities, breakthroughs, and achievements of cancer research communities worldwide. The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) continues to support Canada’s global cancer research efforts by collaborating with national and international partners and agencies to fund research grounded in scientific excellence and engage in knowledge exchange.

Among this network of collaborators is the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the World Health Organization’s specialized cancer research agency that focuses on advancing global cancer prevention research. Through the evidence generated by IARC’s flagship programs, the Agency has played a critical role in strengthening cancer prevention research, shaping critical public health policies, and protecting the population from carcinogenic exposures.

This year is also IARC’s 60th anniversary! To celebrate this milestone, ICR has launched a series of videos highlighting IARC’s 60 years of impact. In just 60 seconds, hear directly from Canadian scientists who describe how IARC’s work has benefited both the cancer research ecosystem and the health of people here in Canada. Learn how IARC’s flagship programs, such as the Monographs, Handbooks of Cancer Prevention and BlueBooks, have shaped cancer prevention policies and guidelines in Canada:

I also feel privileged to have hosted the Director of IARC, Dr. Elisabete Weiderpass, as a Visiting Professor in Canada earlier this month. Over the course of a week, Dr. Weiderpass visited Toronto and Ottawa, and shared her wealth of knowledge and insights on IARC’s initiatives with the Canadian cancer research community, and senior members of our federal government. I am so grateful to Dr. Weiderpass for taking the time to visit us, engaging with both our researchers as well as Canada’s cancer and public health leadership.

As we take the time to recognize the importance of cancer research today and every day, I would like to thank ICR’s ambitious and hardworking community for your tireless dedication to making a difference in cancer prevention and care through groundbreaking research. Contributions to cancer research can take many forms, and progress cannot be accomplished alone. On this World Cancer Research Day, let us come together to continue moving the needle towards a world free of cancer!

Sincerely,

Fei-Fei Liu, MD, FRCPC, FASTRO, FCAHS
Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Cancer Research