Frontiers in Public Health (Jul 2015)

Developing National Cancer Registration in Developing Countries- Case Study of the Nigerian National System of Cancer Registries

  • Elima E Jedy-Agba,
  • Elima E Jedy-Agba,
  • Emmanuel eOga,
  • Emmanuel eOga,
  • Michael eOdutola,
  • Yusuf eAbdullahi,
  • Abiodun ePopoola,
  • Peter eAchara,
  • Enoch eAfolayan,
  • Adekunbiola Aina Fehintola Banjo,
  • Ima-obong eEkanem,
  • Olagoke eErinomo,
  • Emmanuel eEzeome,
  • Festus eIgbinoba,
  • Christopher eObiorah,
  • Olufemi eOgunbiyi,
  • Abidemi eOmonisi,
  • Clement eOsime,
  • Cornelius eUkah,
  • Patience eOsinubi,
  • Ramatu eHassan,
  • William eBlattner,
  • Patrick eDakum,
  • Clement eAdebamowo,
  • Clement eAdebamowo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2015.00186
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3

Abstract

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The epidemiologic transition in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has given rise to a concomitant increase in the incidence of non-communicable diseases including cancers. Worldwide, cancer registries have been shown to be critical for the determination of cancer burden, conduct of research, and in the planning and implementation of cancer control measures. Cancer registration though vital is often neglected in SSA owing to competing demands for resources for healthcare.We report the implementation of a system for representative nation-wide cancer registration in Nigeria - the Nigerian National System of Cancer Registries (NSCR). The NSCR coordinates the activities of cancer registries in Nigeria, strengthens existing registries, establishes new registries, complies and analyses data, and makes these freely available to researchers and policy makers. We highlight the key challenges encountered in implementing this strategy and how they were overcome. This report serves as a guide for other low and middle income countries (LMIC) wishing to expand cancer registration coverage in their countries and highlights the training, mentoring, scientific and logistic support, and advocacy that are crucial to sustaining cancer registration programs in LMIC

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