Cancer Registries
Cancer causes nearly 10 million deaths each year, with a disproportionate impact on low- and middle-income countries. Yet many countries lack the reliable data needed to understand who develops cancer, which cancers are most common, and where resources are needed. Vital Strategies works with governments to establish and strengthen population-based cancer registries that support evidence-based cancer control.
Vital Strategies helped strengthen 17 cancer registries across Cambodia and 7 other countries—providing governments with cancer burden data to prioritize prevention and allocate resources.
Over 2,000 learners from 136 countries enrolled in the GICR e-Learning course, making it one of the largest global investments in cancer registration to date.
We have trained more than 4,700 people in Registry e-learning, workshops and mentorship.
We assisted 4 countries in publishing their first-ever cancer registry reports—enabling evidence-based national cancer planning.
Why It Matters
Cancer causes nearly one in six deaths globally—and approximately 70% occur in low- and middle-income countries where registries are weakest. Population-based cancer registries give governments what they need: data on who is getting cancer, who is dying, and where to direct prevention and treatment resources. Registries can also highlight gaps in cancer care. Without reliable data, planning for effective cancer control is impossible.
How We Work
We provide technical assistance, mentorship and digital tools to help governments build sustainable cancer registries that produce actionable data.
The Cancer Registry Program works with ministries of health and global partners to establish, strengthen and expand population-based cancer registries. We provide technical assistance, embed advisors, develop standard operating procedures and build digital systems that governments own and operate.
Our approach spans the full registration cycle: improving governance; building workforce capacity; strengthening data collection system, and supporting data quality, analysis, reporting and use. Through the IARC-GICR e-Learning Series—available in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish—more than 2,000 learners from 136 countries have built the skills needed to run registries that count every patient.
The program supports regional centers of expertise across Africa, enabling local experts to provide peer technical assistance and training throughout the region.
Ultimately, our goal is to equip countries with the evidence they need to make informed decisions about cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, survivorship and resource allocation.
Areas of Focus
We advance cancer registration systems through infrastructure strengthening, technical assistance, workforce development and regional collaboration—so data informs decisions.
GICR e-Learning Series
The GICR e-Learning Series delivers free, self-paced cancer surveillance training in four languages—reaching 2,000+ registrars across 136 countries.
DHIS2 Oncology Module
The DHIS2 Oncology Module integrates cancer registration into national digital health systems—reducing manual burden and improving data quality.
