By Bassey Ita-Ikpang
Reporting from the World Health Summit 2025, Berlin
Global health leaders at the World Health Summit (WHS) in Berlin have spotlighted the game-changing role of innovation in cancer registries, describing them as the backbone of national cancer control strategies and a lifeline for patients worldwide.
At a high-level session titled “Lives in Focus: How Innovation in Cancer Registries Is Advancing National Cancer Control Plans and Patient Outcomes,” organized by Vital Strategies, policymakers and experts explored how data-driven solutions are transforming cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment—especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Moderated by Dr. Mary-Ann Etiebet, CEO of Vital Strategies, the panel featured Ulrika Årehed Kågström, President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC); Dr. Marion Piñeros of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); Lilian Genga, Program Coordinator of Kenya’s National Cancer Control Program; Dr. Adam Karpati, Senior Vice President at Vital Strategies; and Htoo Kyaw Lynn, Senior Technical Advisor at Vital Strategies.
Data at the Heart of Cancer Control:
Panelists agreed that without reliable, high-quality data, governments cannot design or measure effective cancer control policies.
“Cancer registries are the backbone of every national cancer control plan,” said Dr. Piñeros. “They provide the evidence that guides prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.”
The discussion underscored how comprehensive registries enable countries to map disease burden, allocate resources efficiently, and improve patient outcomes over time.
Tech-Powered Transformation:
Speakers highlighted how digital innovation—ranging from electronic data systems to artificial intelligence is revolutionizing cancer data collection and use. Kenya’s Lilian Genga shared how her country’s integration of electronic registries has improved early detection and patient tracking.
Rwanda and other African nations were also cited as success stories where technology is closing long-standing data gaps and strengthening national health responses.
UICC President Ulrika Årehed Kågström emphasized the power of collaboration:
“When we combine technical expertise, political will, and community engagement, we move from isolated success stories to national impact.”
From Innovation to Sustainability:
While applauding the progress made through global partnerships, Vital Strategies’ Dr. Adam Karpati stressed the need for local ownership.
“External funding can start the process, but national ownership will sustain it,” he said. “When countries fund and protect their registries, they protect their people.”
Turning Data into Decisions:
Panelists concluded that cancer registries are more than technical databases, they are life-saving instruments that convert raw numbers into informed decisions, helping countries fight cancer smarter and faster.
As the world braces for a rising cancer burden, especially in resource-limited settings, one message resonated through the Berlin summit: data saves lives. With continued innovation and investment in cancer registries, the future of global cancer control may depend as much on data systems as on medicine itself.
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