Cancer registries are being implemented with reluctance

Goals of the introduction of clinical cancer registries endangered by the end of 2017
As early as 2013, the establishment of clinical cancer registries was decided by the German Bundestag. Now the GKV-Spitzenverband draws a sobering balance, as far as the previous implementation is concerned. At a press conference on Thursday, the CEO of the GKV-Spitzenverband, Dr. Doris Pfeiffer, how far the development of clinical cancer registries in Germany has flourished and what difficulties exist.

Actually, according to the decision of the Bundestag in all states, clinical cancer registries should be established by the end of 2017. It aims to ensure oncological quality reporting and improve cancer screening and care. An expert report on behalf of the GKV-Spitzenverband has now shown that only ten states have made the necessary anchoring of the corresponding provisions in the respective state law. Only three federal states will deliver the intended output from 2018 according to the target achievement forecast in the report: Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the Saarland.

A report commissioned by the GKV-Spitzenverband shows that the establishment of clinical cancer registries is progressing only hesitantly. (Image: Photographee.eu/fotolia.com)

Bad target achievement forecast for some states
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Germany and every year 500,000 new cases occur - and the trend is rising, reports Doris Pfeiffer at the press conference. Every second cancer patient dies of his illness. The introduction of cancer registries should allow for significant improvements in early detection and treatment, but implementation is slow, not least because the law leaves countries plenty of room for maneuver. The target achievement forecast for the states of Berlin, Brandenburg, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein until 2018 is extremely critical in the report prepared by Prognos AG on behalf of the GKV-Spitzenverband. The cancer registries in these countries are unlikely to be ready on time.

Strengthen the development of cancer registries
According to Doris Pfeiffer, the remaining time must be urgently used to accelerate the development of cancer registries. The corresponding laws must be passed in all provinces by the end of 2016, and the different structural decisions of the federal states must not jeopardize the achievement of goals, said Pfeiffer. The GKV-Spitzenverband will support the health insurance funds in examining the registers and has the task of developing nationwide standard assessment criteria for compliance with the eligibility criteria. (Fp)