There are cantonal cancer registries and a Childhood Cancer Registry in Switzerland. Doctors, hospitals and laboratories report information to these cancer registries on the type, spreading and treatment of tumours. The cancer registries only collect and record data that is prescribed by the Cancer Registration Act (CRA) or a cantonal law.
The cantonal cancer registries
The cantonal cancer registries collect information on tumours in adults aged 20 and over in their area of responsibility. They forward the data to the National Agency for Cancer Registration once a year. References to the person (name, address, insurance number) are removed.
The Childhood Cancer Registry
The Childhood Cancer Registry collects and evaluates information on tumours in children and adolescents under the age of 20 throughout Switzerland. The Childhood Cancer Registry sends its data once a year to the responsible cantonal cancer registries, which in turn forward all data to the NACR.
The National Agency for Cancer Registration
The National Agency for Cancer Registration checks whether the data collected in the cancer registries are correct and complete. The NACR then prepares the data for further processing (for example, for the Federal Statistical Office and research) and evaluates it at the national level.
