Cancer registries in four provinces in Turkey: A case study

Abstract

BackgroundThe burden of cancer affects all countries; while high-income countries have the capacity and resources to establish comprehensive cancer control programs, low and middle-income countries have limited resources to develop such programs. This paper examines factors associated with the development of cancer registries in four provinces in Turkey. It looks at the progress made by these registries, the challenges they faced, and the lessons learned. Other countries with similar resources can benefit from the lessons identified in this case study.MethodsA mix of qualitative case study methods including key informant interviews, document review and questionnaires was used.ResultsThis case study showed that surveillance systems that accurately report current cancer-related data are essential components of a country’s comprehensive cancer control program. At the initial stages, Turkey established one cancer registry with international support, which was used as a model for other registries. The Ministry of Health recognized the value of the registry data and its contribution to the country’s cancer control program and is supporting sustainability of these registries as a result.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates how Turkey was able to use resources from multiple sources to enhance its population based cancer registry system in four provinces. With renewed international interest in non-communicable diseases and cancer following the 2011 UN high-level meeting on NCDs, low- and middle- income countries can benefit from Turkey’s experience. Other countries can utilize lessons learned from Turkey as they address cancer burden and establish their own registries.

Distribution of Cancer Cases Between January 01, 2014 and December 30, 2016 in Çorum City, Turkey

“…[2] Breast cancer is the second most common cancer overall (1.7 million cases, 11.9%) but is the fifth most common cause of death (522,000, 6.4%) because of its relatively favorable prognosis; these were followed, in terms of incidence, by colorectal cancer (1.4 million cases, 694,000 deaths), prostate cancer (1.1 million cases, 307,000 deaths), stomach cancer (951,000 cases, 723,000 deaths), and liver cancer (782,000 cases and 745,000 deaths). [4] The first five most common cancer types in Turkey are similar to those in the world and other developed countries. [5] In our study, the first five most common cancers were skin (n=374, 17.0%), lung (n=205, 9.3%), colorectal (n=204, 9.3%), breast (n=192, 8.7%), and prostate (n=174, 7.9%), respectively (Table 1).…”

“…[4] However, it has been acknowledged that there is a "significant lack of relevant cancer data from developing countries. " Registries require time, effort, expertise, and skills development so that they can become functional and meet international standards.…”

“…Registries require time, effort, expertise, and skills development so that they can become functional and meet international standards. [4] In addition, the establishment of cancer registry systems is of importance to reveal etiologic causes, necessary intervetions for cancer prevention, and for "cancer biology" studies to be developed and controlled. [6] When developed and developing countries are separately evaluated, it appears that the type and incidence rates of cancers vary.…”

“…Surveillance systems, including cancer registries, allow countries to obtain specific data by geographic region from people diagnosed with cancer and to use the data to develop preventive, diagnostic, or therapeutic practices; to assess the efficacy of these interventions and initiate research studies; and to develop policies and allocate funding. [4] The increase in cancer incidence and mortality in Turkey has led the Turkish Ministry of Health (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Sağlık Bakanlığı-TCSB) to establish Cancer Early of new cancer cases and 65% (5.3 million) of cancer deaths occurred in less developed countries. [3] Although cancer control efforts seem to be obscure in the current global health agenda, in 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) passed the Resolution on Cancer Control WHO 58.22, urging member states to conduct cancer control and prevention activities.…”

Aging and cancer: molecular facts and awareness for Turkey

“…In the last few years, some pilot studies have been published about age-specific incidence ratios of cancers, such as breast, melanoma, and colorectal cancers. All these studies have shown an increasing trend (Eser et al, 2010a;Eser and Özdemir, 2012;Stillman et al, 2012). Turkey has a growing economy, but with the increasing of the aged population over 65 years, some socioeconomic and health problems are seen.…”