In the UK cancer registries were set up during the period 1945 to 1965. Their purpose is to evaluate the risk of and survival from cancer. Twelve cancer registries now give complete population coverage of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The data they collect serve local, national and international information needs. Registries in England and Wales send a core data set to the National Cancer Information Centre (NCIC) at ONS (Office for National Statistics). The NCIC collates these data to produce national cancer incidence data for England and Wales. The 12 registries are all members of the United Kingdom Association of Cancer Registries (UKACR).
Each registry is population based so that the information provided gives an unbiased profile of cancer across the whole catchment population. Data are collected on all patients whether they are treated in hospitals (acute, long stay, hospice or private) or by their general practitioners. Information on patient deaths is provided through the national death certification scheme and supplied via the Registrar General and the NHS Central Register.
The fundamental aim of the national cancer registration system is to maintain a comprehensive, accurate, timely and accessible register of all cancers diagnosed in the UK to support:
- Management of resources for prevention, treatment and laboratory services.
- Commissioning and evaluation of services, including screening programmes.
- Planning and evaluating clinical management and treatment (including clinical audit).
- Research into the causes of and survival from cancer.
- Education of cancer professionals, managers and the wider public.
Click here to link to the websites for other registries. |
