Vol 8, No 4 (2012)
Research paper
Published online: 2012-10-08
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Comparison of data sets from National Cancer Register and National Health Fund based on the example of breast and colorectal cancers

Joanna Aleksandra Didkowska, Urszula Wojciechowska, Adam Kozierkiewicz, Andrzej Strug, Andrzej Śliwczyński
Onkol. Prak. Klin 2012;8(4):129-142.

Abstract

Introduction. Two comprehensive and relatively complete systems collecting data on cancer co-exist in
Poland: the National Cancer Register (NCR) registering incidence from the epidemiological viewpoint,
and the system of the National Health Fund (NHF), which registers episodes of care for reimbursement
purposes. The aim of this study was to compare data from two systems, based on example of breast
and colorectal cancers.

Materials and methods. This study was based on the NCR and the NHF data from 2004–2010, covering
breast cancer (C50) and colorectal cancer (C18–C21). The analysis was performed, comparing incidence
data (acc. to NCR), what is an epidemiological figure, and the number of new cancer patients treated in
the public insurance system (acc. to NHF), which is an organizational figure.

Results. A 2007–2010 period is the most useful for comparison and the former one should be treated
with care. In case of breast cancer, the number of new cases consequently rises, while the number of
patients treated in the NHF remains at a constant level. In individual regions this picture is more diverse.
In case of colorectal cancer, the number of cases registered by the NCR is a little higher than the number
of “confirmed” cases from NHF, though the trends in both registers are similar.

Conclusions. It is an exceptional opportunity in Poland, to run two good quality cancer data sources. However,
it is pertinent to note the definition and concept differences of data gathered in both systems, due to
which the systems are supplementing each other. Data quality in both systems improves gradually and it
seems that data available after 2007 in both systems presents a quality allowing for sound conclusions

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