Developing National Cancer Registration in Developing Countries - Case Study of the Nigerian National System of Cancer Registries.
The epidemiological 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.
Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK ; Institute of Human Virology Nigeria , Abuja , Nigeria.
Elima E
EE
Jedy-Agba
Institute of Human Virology Nigeria , Abuja , Nigeria ; The Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Centre, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA.
Emmanuel A
EA
Oga
Institute of Human Virology Nigeria , Abuja , Nigeria.
Michael
M
Odutola
Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe , Gombe , Nigeria.
Yusuf M
YM
Abdullahi
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital , Ikeja , Nigeria.
Abiodun
A
Popoola
Federal Medical Centre Keffi , Keffi , Nigeria.
Peter
P
Achara
University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital , Ilorin , Nigeria.
Enoch
E
Afolayan
Lagos University Teaching Hospital , Lagos , Nigeria.
Adekunbiola Aina Fehintola
AA
Banjo
University of Calabar Teaching Hospital , Calabar , Nigeria.
Ima-Obong
IO
Ekanem
Federal Teaching Hospital , Ido Ekiti , Nigeria.
Olagoke
O
Erinomo
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital , Enugu , Nigeria.
Emmanuel
E
Ezeome
National Hospital Abuja , Abuja , Nigeria.
Festus
F
Igbinoba
University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital , Port Harcourt , Nigeria.
Christopher
C
Obiorah
University College Hospital Ibadan , Ibadan , Nigeria.
Olufemi
O
Ogunbiyi
Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital , Ado-Ekiti , Nigeria.
Abidemi
A
Omonisi
University of Benin Teaching Hospital , Benin City , Nigeria.
Clement
C
Osime
Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital , Nnewi , Nigeria.
Cornelius
C
Ukah
Federal Ministry of Health , Abuja , Nigeria.
Patience
P
Osinubi
Federal Ministry of Health , Abuja , Nigeria.
Ramatu
R
Hassan
The Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Centre, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA.
William
W
Blattner
Institute of Human Virology Nigeria , Abuja , Nigeria.
Patrick
P
Dakum
Institute of Human Virology Nigeria , Abuja , Nigeria ; The Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Centre, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD , USA.
Clement A
CA
Adebamowo
Nigeria; cancer; cancer incidence; cancer registration; population-based cancer registries