NoRCa: a register-based data source for cancer research in northern Sweden
Cecilia Hultstrand1,2, David Olsson3, Senada Hajdarevic4,5
1Regional Cancer Centre North. Norrlands universitetssjukhus, Umeå, 901 85, Sweden. Cecilia.hultstrand@regionvasterbotten.se.
BMC Cancer
|July 17, 2026
Summary
The Northern Region Cancer (NoRCa) database links cancer cases with health and socioeconomic data to study rural health inequities. This resource supports research for more equitable cancer care and improved patient outcomes in underserved areas.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Rural populations face significant healthcare access barriers, leading to poorer health outcomes and diagnostic delays.
- Northern Sweden, despite its large geographic area and sparse population, lacks comprehensive research on cancer care and outcomes.
- The Northern Region Cancer (NoRCa) database was created to address these research gaps and understand inequities in rural cancer care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the Northern Region Cancer (NoRCa) database, including its structure and data coverage.
- To highlight the potential of the NoRCa database for advancing rural cancer research.
- To inform strategies for more equitable cancer care delivery in underserved regions.
Main Methods:
- The NoRCa database encompasses all individuals diagnosed with cancer in the Northern Healthcare Region from 2007 to 2022.
- Data linkage was performed using the Swedish personal identification number to integrate cancer registries with national registers on care, medications, mortality, demographics, and socioeconomic factors.
- Geographic data, including residential location and distances to healthcare facilities, were incorporated at the time of diagnosis.
Main Results:
- The database contains 88,796 incident cancer cases, providing a robust dataset for analysis.
- Integration of clinical, socioeconomic, and geographic data within NoRCa establishes a strong foundation for rural cancer research.
- This resource facilitates the identification of factors contributing to cancer care inequities.
Conclusions:
- The NoRCa database is a unique, register-based resource with substantial potential for epidemiological studies on rural cancer.
- Research utilizing NoRCa can generate insights to improve healthcare systems, support early cancer detection, and enhance population health outcomes.
- The database serves as a critical tool for promoting health equity in cancer care for rural populations.
