Implementation of Population-Based Cancer Registry in Georgia: Results of the Appeared Requirements to NCCP

Background: The current cancer patterns in Georgia indicate that a significant proportion of cancer cases and deaths are preventable if appropriate actions are undertaken. The estimates from IARC indicate 12,361 new cancer cases per annum in 2012. The estimated number of deaths from cancer in 2012 was 7319. Objectives: The aim of the project was to: Implement modern cancer registration system in Georgia; Ensure compliance of reporting standards; Create registry that will meet international data standards; Reveal the main national trends of incidence and mortality in Georgia. Methods: In 2011-2014 as a result of active work with Ministry of Health Care (MOH) preliminary actions were taken under the State Program of Modern Cancer Registry Implementation, including: translation and publishing of ICD-O-3; translation of CanReg5 software and training of registrars; translation and filling of dictionaries: topography, morphology, administrative units, and institutions providing oncology services; participation in international training and courses organized by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Results: According to the schedule I stage of the program has been completed successfully. New model of cancer registry has been developed The first results of the register are received 8731 new cases of cancer have been diagnosed in Georgia in 2017 (234.8-291.6 per 100,000). Incidence of almost every type of cancer (in all localizations) is less than the incidence in European region and in EU countries. This number is closer to the CIS average data. Almost all localization cancer incidence in both men and women is less compared with the indicators of the European region and EU countries and is closer to the CIS average data. Collectively accounting for > 60% of all new cancers and half of all cancer deaths. Second most common cancer type in registered new cases among females is thyroid cancer. From 2015 there is a gradual increase in newly registered cases of thyroid cancer and its incidence among 100,000 females (2015 - 33.5, 2016 - 42.8, 2017 - 40. In 2017, there was 55 new thyroid cancer cases among females younger than 25 years (in 2015 this number was 41, in 2016 -50); this number corresponds to 50% of all newly registered cancer cases among this age group. By the end of the next year Cancer Registry will be linked to EMR notification system that itself will be linked to public and death registry and data on every cancer patient will automatically appear in the cancer registry database. Conclusion: Developed model of Cancer Registry will serve as a basis for clinical, epidemiologic, and health care services research and for the assessment of their efficacy in Georgia.