The latest estimates released by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the World Health Organization (WHO) cancer agency, show that in 2022:
- Lung cancer remains the most prevalent cancer globally, with 2.5 million new cases representing 12.4% of all new diagnoses.
- Following closely is female breast cancer, which accounts for 2.3 million cases or 11.6% of the total.
- Colorectal cancer comes next, with 1.9 million cases (9.6%).
This ongoing battle with cancer has been met with countless plights and setbacks — but also with fierce determination and resilience. With a solid commitment to working towards positive change, ThinkWell launched a cancer registry workshop at Holiday Inn Makati on July 31, 2024. The workshop gathered healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers to explore the crucial role of cancer registries in shaping strategies to combat cancer.
Understanding cancer registries
Cancer registries are gaining recognition as key players in the fight against cancer in the Philippines, with healthcare professionals lending their support. But what exactly is a cancer registry?
Simply put, it is an information system that collects, manages, and stores cancer-related data. Its main objective is to collect and classify information on all cancer cases to yield statistics and provide a framework for assessing and controlling the impact of cancer.
Registries are pivotal in detecting patterns in cancer statistics. From patterns of patient care to cancer incidence and mortality rates, these data serve as a concrete basis for cancer research and clinical trials. It allows all stakeholders to efficiently understand the types of cancers affecting our population, facilitating various forms of prevention and healthcare improvement.
Historical context of cancer registries in the Philippines
The first attempt to establish the first National Cancer Registry was in 1959, led by the Philippine Cancer Society. The Central Tumor Registry of the Philippines (CTRP) was then established in 1968 by the same organization.
In 1974, the Philippines’ first population-based cancer registry was established by the Department of Health-Rizal Cancer Registry (DOH-RCR). They initially depended on passive notifications from healthcare professionals and hospitals but due to underreporting, an active data collection strategy was implemented in 1980. Data gathering was completed by reviewing death certificates.
In 1983, the second population-based cancer registry in the Philippines was established by reorienting CTRP into the Philippine Cancer Society-Manila Cancer Registry (PCS-MCR). It began a cooperative effort with DOH-RCR in 1984, adopting an active data collection method.
The third population-based registry in the Philippines, the Cebu Cancer Registry (CCR), was founded in February 1988. Data collection was also implemented to gather information on cancer cases from 1983 onwards.
The Davao Cancer Registry (DCR) is the fourth population-based cancer registry in the Philippines. It was started in 1991 but discontinued. It was relaunched in 1998, paired with an active data collection method. Data from 1993-1997 have been concluded and are presently being examined.
Types of cancer registries
There are two major types of cancer registries: population-based and hospital-based registries.
- Population-based
This type of registry records all cancer cases in a defined population, mainly geographical areas. There is an emphasis on epidemiology and public health in this registry as it is designed to detect cancer trends and patterns among different populations to prioritize health resource allocations and advance health-related research.
Dr. Clarito Cairo, Jr., a medical officer at the Philippine Cancer Center, highlighted during ThinkWell’s cancer registry workshop that a population-based registry has been utilized since the 1980s and is being used by the Department of Health as a basis for health policy development. It also laid the groundwork for the creation of the cancer law.
- Hospital-based
This type of cancer registry maintains all data of cancer patients diagnosed and/or treated at a healthcare facility. Its main goal is to improve patient care and hospital administration.
“For hospital-based cancer registries, this is something that will be able to assist our medical professionals and our health facilities to improve systems, practices, as well as treatment protocols because it will be providing direct information about the status of cancer patients in various health facilities,” said Carmen Auste-Sarmiento, CEO of Cancer Warriors Foundation and Vice President of Cancer Coalition Philippines, in an interview during the cancer registry workshop.
Benefits of cancer registries to the cancer care continuum
Data is a powerful ally in improving cancer outcomes. It helps identify patterns and trends that are invaluable for public health initiatives. This awareness may also better encourage patients to address any symptoms early, which is crucial in the cancer care continuum — the sooner cancer is identified, the better the chances of successful treatment.
“If the information would be accessible to the patient, at least there would be more awareness for Filipinos/Filipinas in terms of how cancer could be something that is closer to them than they think. If we share this information… it would push patients to seek more care, and they would afford more time for screening for, for example, breast cancer, colon cancer, et cetera,” underscored Dr. Nina Bolong, a representative from Epimetrics Inc. in the Philippines.
Furthermore, the recorded data from various clinical trials allows for tailored strategies that address individual patient needs. This approach ensures more successful results as we move away from a one-size-fits-all treatment model.
Role of registries in the fight against cancer in the Philippines
Collaboration among healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers is pivotal in designing effective treatment protocols for different types of cancer. These joint partnerships enable professionals to share information and best practices with each other to ensure that all patients receive the highest standard of care, regardless of their location.
For instance, organizations such as ThinkWell, MSD, and CitizenWatch actively participate in global health collaborations to accelerate the progress toward high-quality cancer registry systems. These partnerships also provide valuable data that comprehensively explain cancer, reduce stigma, and encourage individuals to seek early detection.
“Right now, we’re all focusing on getting the patients the chemotherapy that they need, the screening that they need, preventive action, right? But five years from now, we’re all going to need the data. Like, when we started these programs, how high was the incidence of cancer? Five years after, how are we doing? Where are we now? And that’s the data that the registries will have. That’s why we can’t have cancer control programs without the cancer registries,” emphasized Dr. Maricar Sabinano, a delegate from the Philippine Cancer Society.
Forging the path to concrete cancer registry development
“Cancer registries are important because at the end of the day, what we do not measure and collect, we cannot address or correct. And cancer registries are a very important tool for us to identify those who need the most help,” highlighted Dr. Gelo Apostol, Technical Advisor for ThinkWell and main facilitator of the cancer registry workshop. “It helps us to identify where we can direct our resources and investments, and hopefully cancer registries, having a very strong cancer registry, will be our first step towards improving cancer control and cancer care in the Philippines.”
The development and improvement of cancer registries are not just about numbers — they are about people. As we gather more information, we can pinpoint the areas of greatest need, ensuring that resources are allocated where they will have the most impact.
By taking the time to understand cancer registries and its benefits to the cancer community, we can build a future where cancer care is data-driven, patient-centered, and ultimately more effective. Partnering these with relentless dedication and commitment, we are well on our way to transforming the cancer treatment landscape and support in our communities.
