The national cancer registry in Mexico, a reality

Abstract

Cancer represents a national and global public health problem. In Mexico, the real incidence and prevalence of the disease is unknown, and its mortality is partially acknowledged. In this context, population-based cancer registrieswere established in ten localities (including 12.15% of the Mexican population) and organized by a general coordination, the National Cancer Registry Network (NCRN). Data were collected and obtained by using a registration card including 29 standardized and structured variables, according to international guidelines. The NCRN aligned with the quality indicators proposed by the International Agency of Research in Cancer, for comparability, validity, timeliness and completeness. A NCRN has been already established in Mexico, which is considered an epidemiological surveillance system with active and continuous validity. Currently, there are 18,000 cases registered from public and private data sources.The NCRN will determine the incidence and survival rates of cancer among the Mexican population, in order to implement public policy actions for cancer control.