Cost of Operating Population-Based Cancer Registries: Results from 4 Sub-Saharan African Countries

Large differences exist in the coverage and quality of cancer surveillance systems across the world, with limited data currently available from low-resource settings. Information on the resources required to register cancer cases are needed in order for global, national, regional, and local stakeholders to adequately support cancer registry operations. The objective of this study is to estimate the cost of cancer registration and report the cost per cancer incident case, the cost per inhabitant in the area covered by the registry, and cost allocated to specific registry activities. The International Registry Costing Tool (IntRegCosting Tool) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was used to assess the costs and resources used by 4 registries in sub-Saharan Africa (Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, and Seychelles). The cost of registering a cancer case ranged from $9 to $96, with lower costs in low- and middle-income countries than in the high-income country. The cost of cancer registration at the population level is very low, ranging from 1 to 17 cents per person. The detailed cost information provided in this manuscript can help registries in in sub-Saharan Africa understand the cost of their registry operations and identify approaches to improve efficiency to meet program priorities. Furthermore, it provides additional evidence to inform funding and resource allocation decisions to advance cancer registration in the region.