Why are Irish Cancer Registry cancer data a few years behind?
A number of circumstances are involved in this delay. The vast majority of newly diagnosed cancer cases are identified by the registry within 12 months of the diagnosis date. However, as cancer cases are identified through a number of sources such as pathology reports, scans, x-rays etc and from a number of health care providers, it is essential that all the reports be consolidated into a single record containing the best and most accurate information available. This is a very time consuming exercise and the NCR has limited resources. Stringent quality control is carried out in line with best international practise before completing the final report. The data cannot be published until case reporting is estimated to be at least 95% complete – and the last 10% is the most difficult to complete.
