The role of Hospital-Based Cancer Registries (HBCRs) as information systems in the delivery of evidence-based integrated cancer care: a scoping review

Cancer is a leading cause of mortality, with 10 million deaths in 2020. With the number of people impacted by cancer projected to increase, a better-integrated cancer care is needed. Evidence suggests that Hospital-Based Cancer Registries (HBCRs) that collect administrative and clinical data could improve integrated and equitable evidence-based care. However, the state and HBCR's role in the delivery of integrated cancer care for improved health outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), is poorly understood and is assessed in this scoping review. A systematic search was conducted in April 2020. Thirty articles were included. This review found that while HBCRs have been implemented in several countries, few studies have evaluated the quality and effectiveness of registries, especially in LMICs. HBCRs in LMICs function more as data collection tools than information systems to influence clinical care decisions and monitoring, missing the opportunity to guide cancer care priorities and policies.

Automated summary

Cancer is a leading cause of death, with 10 million deaths in 2020. Hospital-Based Cancer Registries (HBCRs) that collect administrative and clinical data could improve integrated and equitable evidence-based care, but their role in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is poorly understood. This scoping review found limited evaluation of HBCRs in LMICs, with registries functioning more as data collection tools than information systems to guide cancer care priorities and policies.