ACT Cancer Registry
The ACT Cancer Registry (ACTCR) registers all new cases of cancer diagnosed in ACT residents (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) and all deaths of people with cancer to gain a comprehensive picture of the burden of cancer across the population. It is managed by the ACT Health Directorate.
How cancer registry data are used
Monitoring cancer rates
The information collected in the ACTCR is used to improve cancer prevention programs, evaluate how well cancer screening programs are working, and to provide statistics to better plan cancer health services and policies for cancer prevention and health care. The data are also used to monitor the health outcomes of people who are diagnosed with and treated for cancer in the ACT.
To view summary cancer statistics, go to statistics and indicators.
Cancer research and quality improvement
In recent years, researchers have made great progress in understanding what causes cancer and how best to diagnose and treat it. This work relies on accurate and complete information about the people who develop cancer.
Cancer registry data is also used for a range of quality improvement purposes, such as performance and accountability indicator reporting, to monitor variation in healthcare delivery and to promote the application of best practice in the care of people diagnosed with cancer.
Sources of cancer registry data
Collection of cancer data is required by law in all Australian states and territories. In the ACT it is collected under the Public Health Regulation 2000.
In the ACT it is mandatory for pathology laboratories, public and private hospitals, and aged care facilities to report all cancer diagnoses.
Cancer patient information recorded in the cancer registry
Information includes patient demographics as well as detailed information about the type of cancer on all cancers notified to the ACTCR.
Further expansion of the ACTCR to include a broader range of data items, such as cancer stage and clinical data relating to episodes of care, is being considered.
Confidentiality, security, and data sharing
The ACTCR has a legal requirement to protect patient confidentiality. Therefore, the ACTCR has very strict policies defining how data are collected and stored and the approvals required for any data release.
Access to cancer registry data
Some ACT-level cancer data can be found on this website. Further jurisdictional-level cancer data and reporting, including for the ACT, can be found on the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) website.
To submit a formal request for ACTCR data, submit a Data Request form.
The ACTCR considers all data requests on a case-by-case basis and works with applicants to determine the most appropriate data for their needs. This can be through the provision of aggregate (tabulated) data, or de-identified (where information that could directly identify individuals has been removed) unit record data.
The latter generally requires applicants to seek approval from the ACT Health Human Research Ethics Committee prior to requesting data access.
Contact
Director, ACT Cancer Registries
GPO Box 825 Canberra ACT 2601
CancerRegistry@act.gov.au
02 5124 9473