The ailments of cancer registries: a proposal for remedial education

A study on the ailments of cancer registries, manifested by inaccuracies in data collection and delays in data retrieval, is presented. The etiology is identified as the lack of educational foundation for physicians and medical students. The symptoms are caused by the distance between physicians and the cancer registry. Investigations were carried out by error analysis, problem identification, and comparative and contrast studies. Pathogenesis is described on the basis of lack of bondage between the medical record system and the cancer registry. Educational remedies starting from the patients, medical students, and physicians are prescribed. Newly designed data collection forms that can form a secure link between the hospital medical record and the cancer registry are presented. It is hoped that physicians will perceive the cancer registry not as a burden of paperwork, but as a valuable tool to study cancer, and see it as a reflection of their achievements in cancer control.