About

The International Cancer Screening Network (ICSN) convenes experts working towards reducing the global cancer burden through evidence-based cancer screening programs. ICSN was founded in 1988 through the leadership of Prof. Sam Shapiro at the NCI, and currently has more than 800 participants from 69 countries with active screening programs for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers. CGH supports the coordination of the network since 2015.

For over 30 years, ICSN has provided an international forum to scientists and cancer screening practitioners to think about and discuss cancer screening research, implementation and evaluation. The ICSN biennial meetings and collaborative working groups contributed to defining the scope of cancer screening research, which is focused on developing the evidence base for effective practices in cancer screening.

ICSN promotes evidence-based cancer screening implementation and research with cooperation from multilateral organizations around the globe. The network acts as a critical resource for countries that have active population-based cancer screening programs in place and are interested improving quality through monitoring, evaluation and research. ICSN aims to reduce the global burden of cancer by:

• Organizing scientific studies, biennial conferences, consultations, mentorship, training, and by publishing collaborative papers.
• Creating a community of screening practitioners (researchers, evaluators, implementers and screening program staff) to exchange data, evidence, ideas and experiences that advance the field of cancer screening.
• Assisting in the design of studies to evaluate the process and effectiveness of cancer screening programs;
• Providing education and dialogue about basic aspects of cancer screening as well as advanced and emerging concepts and technology.
• Enrolling participants who conduct cancer screening research, develop infrastructure for cancer screening, and establish programs whose goal is to deliver the highest quality health care while producing the maximum benefit to the population and minimizing its harms.