By Gina McNellis and Patricia Thompson
The incidence of cancer in the U.S. is on the rise, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicting a 50% increase in total cancer cases by 2050, primarily due to an aging population. Concurrently, the incidence of early-onset cancers in individuals under 50 is also increasing. A study published by BMJ Oncology projects a 31% rise in early-onset cancer rates and a 21% increase in cancer deaths by 2030.
The critical role of cancer informatics
As cancer rates continue to climb, there is a heightened emphasis on the need for high-quality data, or "cancer informatics," to support cancer-related public health initiatives. The National Cancer Registrars Association defines cancer informatics as "the intersection of information science, computer science, medical oncology, communication, and healthcare." This encompasses all "resources, devices, and methods required to optimize the acquisition, storage, retrieval, and use of information in cancer."
However, the exponential growth and increasing complexity of cancer data pose significant challenges for its management. Data originates from diverse sources, including clinical records, imaging studies, pathology reports, and genomic data. Skilled experts must employ a holistic approach to accurately connect these disparate data points and extract meaningful insights. This data then informs critical downstream activities, such as public health surveillance efforts, timely interventions, precision medicine approaches, new treatment guidelines and policy recommendations, clinical trial enrollment, and clinical research ideas.
The growing need for cancer informatics highlights the crucial value of cancer registries. Data from cancer registry programs can support clinical care outcomes, identify new research and public health initiatives, and influence regulatory activities. Furthermore, the convergence of big data innovations and incentives for practicing value-based medicine has brought clinical pathways to the forefront as a means to drive precision and optimization of care for patients. Cancer registries play a vital role in providing the necessary data to develop defined treatment pathways that address rising costs, mitigate patient risk, reduce variability, and achieve better, more predictable outcomes.
