Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Spring;50(1):19-25.

History of the National Cancer Registry of Panama

Hedley Knewjen Quintana, Ilais Moreno Velásquez, Mirka Rodríguez, Beatriz Gómez, Moisés Espino, Plinio Valdés, Reina Roa

History of the National Cancer Registry of Panama

Hedley Knewjen Quintana et al. J Registry Manag. 2023 Spring.

Abstract

Background: The National Cancer Registry of Panama (NCRP) was established in 1974. In 1984, histological confirmation became mandatory. The now pathology-based registry has evolved and has been a population-based cancer registry (PBCR) since 2012 with cancer-specific Web-based reporting software. Herein, we characterize the main features in its development that may help readers understand its evolution and improvements that are needed to be in line with international standards.

Methods: We describe the major components of the NCRP using its structure, processes, and a results framework for 3 major periods since its inception: 1974-1999, 2000-2011, and 2012 to present.

Results: The NCRP has always been linked to the Ministry of Health of Panama. Until the end of its second period, it operated as a pathology-based registry and all staff worked part time. Currently, the NCRP is based on passive reporting through a Web-based system set up for both public and private health institutions, covering 77% of the existing health-care institutions in the nation. The number of cases with unknown age were less than 10 per year and primary tumors with unknown origin were at most 3%. The proportion of death certificate only (DCO) cases decreased 5% in 18 years. Men are more likely to have DCO than women (odds ratio, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.48-1.58).

Discussion: The NCRP has evolved, achieving significant improvements and progress over the years. Yet, much remains to be done. To provide internationally comparable, valid, and timely cancer incidence data, the NCRP should continue to improve its quality and coverage and provide continuous staff training on cancer registry procedures.

Keywords: Panama; cancer control; neoplasms; population-based cancer registries.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Death-Certificate Only (DCO) Diagnosis in the National Register of Cancer of Panama, 2000–2018
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Parkin DM. The role of cancer registries in cancer control. Int J Clin Oncol. 2008;13(2):102-111. - PubMed
    1. Piñeros M, Znaor A, Mery L, Bray F. A global cancer surveillance framework within noncommunicable disease surveillance: making the case for population-based cancer registries. Epidemiol Rev. 2017;39(1):161-169. - PubMed
    1. Bray F, Colombet M, Mery L, et al.. Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Vol. XI. International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2021.
    1. Piñeros M, Abriata MG, Mery L, Bray F. Cancer registration for cancer control in Latin America: a status and progress report. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2017;41:e2. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Forman D, Sierra MS. Cancer in Central and South America: Introduction. Cancer Epidemiol. 2016;44:S3-S10. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources