title: The International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership: an international collaboration to inform cancer policy in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
abstract: The International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) was initiated by the Department of Health in England to study international variation in cancer survival, and to inform policy to improve cancer survival. It is a research collaboration between twelve jurisdictions in six countries: Australia (New South Wales, Victoria), Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario), Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Wales). Leadership is provided by policymakers, with academics, clinicians and cancer registries forming an international network to conduct the research. The project currently has five modules examining: (1) cancer survival, (2) population awareness and beliefs about cancer, (3) attitudes, behaviours and systems in primary care, (4) delays in diagnosis and treatment, and their causes, and (5) treatment, co-morbidities and other factors. These modules employ a range of methodologies including epidemiological and statistical analyses, surveys and clinical record audit. The first publications have already been used to inform and develop cancer policies in participating countries, and a further series of publications is under way. The module design, governance structure, funding arrangements and management approach to the partnership provide a case study in conducting international comparisons of health systems that are both academically and clinically robust and of immediate relevance to policymakers.
authors.affiliation: Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, England, UK; Cancer Research UK, Angel Building, 407 St John Street, London EC1 V 4AD, England, UK. Electronic address: john.butler@cancer.org.uk.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foot
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bomb
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hiom
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vedsted
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D019985:Benchmarking; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality; D011050:Policy Making; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries / Q000453:epidemiology; D013534:Survival; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Benchmarking; Cancer policy; Cancer survival; International comparisons