Group for Cancer Epidemiology and Registration in Latin Language Countries
Foundation and Initial Ideas (1975-1976)
September 1975: Prof. Enrico Anglesio and Dr. Luc Raymond proposed a scientific group for Southern European countries at an IARC meeting.
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October 1975: A document appointed Anglesio as temporary President and Raymond as temporary Secretary of group.
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-March 1976: First meeting in Geneva with 50 experts; discussions on cancer registries, training, and collaborations
The Secretariat of the Group was based at the Ginevra CR
Original Name and Official Language
Initial name: "Group of Ascension," derived from the meeting held on Ascension Day.
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French chosen as the official language for meetings and communications
Early Activites,
Development & Growth
With collaboration of IARC, a questionnaire was sent to cancer registries to improve harmonization and collaboration.
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May 1976: Second meeting planned for Milan.
Supported cancer registries in Europe, Africa, and Latin America for 17 years.
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May 1992: First meeting of the Founding Assembly
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Partnerships with all the relevant Associations involved in cancer epidemiology and registration (IARC, WHO, ENCR, and ANCR).
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Expansion to include of Latin language CRs in Europe (e.g. Belgium, Luxemburg, Romania) and also outside Europe, both in North, Central and South America and in Africa​​​​​​
Formalization of GRELL (1993-2017):
October 1993: GRELL (Group for cancer registration and epidemiology in Latin Language countries) was officially established.
Objectives, activities, and key roles defined in the statutes.
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2016: Decision to transform GRELL into a Scientific Society with registered members.
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May 2017: Approval of new statutes at the meeting in Brussels.