Health official: Cancer registry needed for updated statistics, data

THE exact trend of the spread of cancer in the country is unknown because there is no cancer registry, a health official says.
Port Moresby General Hospital chief executive officer Dr Paki Molumi said a cancer registry was an information system for collection, storage and management of data on people with cancer.
Dr Molumi said the lack of this system contributed to limited effort put into reducing the burden of the disease in the country.
“Many people have died from cancer and many people are developing it,” he said.
“The exact number of people that have died from cancer or have cancer is not known because of the lack of a registry.”
Dr Molumi said there was no cancer facility in the country so that would explain the lack of this important system.
“It is a need for the country and so a section of the new modern comprehensive cancer facility at PMGH will be dedicated for a cancer registry.”
He said this would significantly improve the cancer surveillance in the country.
Dr Molumi said a research centre was also in the plan so the registry would play a critical role in cancer research within the country.
“You do research, early diagnosis and prevention,” he said.
“When you invest more into early diagnosis and prevention you reduce the cost of cancer treatment.
“The treatment are only effective if you get the diagnosis correct.”
He said many patients were coming to the hospital at the late or end stage of their conditions hence nothing much could be done for them and palliative care was the only option.
“Palliative care means the cancer cannot be cured. For these patients we give them spiritual support, nutritional support, pain relief and family support.”