The International Agency for Research on Cancer was established in May, 1965, through a resolution of the XVIIIth World Health Assembly, as an extension of the World Health Organization, after a French initiative. IARC’s founding members were the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The Agency’s headquarters’ building was provided by its host, and is located in Lyon, France.

Today, IARC's membership has grown to twenty two countries (founding States plus Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, India, Ireland, Japan, Norway, the Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey).