A cancer registry collects information about the incidence of cancer. The Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR), is based at Queens University Belfast. The NICR’s aim is to provide accurate information on the occurrence of cancer in people in Northern Ireland. This information can then be used to aid research and education and to plan services.

The NICR collects data on all malignant and some non-malignant tumours diagnosed in Northern Ireland.

By collecting this data the NICR can monitor trends over time and identify variations in cancer incidence across the region.  This allows them to produce reports which help to inform how we plan our services.

Cancer registry data is useful for the following purposes:  :

• Managing resources for prevention, treatment and laboratory services for cancer.
• Planning and evaluating services especially the breast and cervical screening programmes.
• Planning and evaluating clinical management and treatment of cancer based on accurate and unbiased information.
• Aiding research into cases of cancer, using case control studies and identification of cohorts and information for health education and health promotion.

Confidentiality

The NICR follows a very strict confidentiality code. It is independent of all other agencies and will not share confidential information except with the permission of the patient’s doctor for ethnically approved research or to assist doctors in reviewing their own work load.

To find out more and to view their latest reports, visit the website of the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry at www.qub.ac.uk/nicr