Berlin, October 13, 2025 At the World Health Summit (WHS) in Berlin, experts and policymakers converged for a powerful discussion on how innovation in cancer registries is reshaping national cancer control plans and improving patient outcomes worldwide.
The session, titled “Lives in Focus: How Innovation in Cancer Registries Is Advancing National Cancer Control Plans and Patient Outcomes,” was sponsored by Vital Strategies, a global public health organization known for strengthening health data systems. The session spotlighted the critical role of data in fighting cancer, particularly in low-and middle-income countries where accurate information is often limited.
Data as the Backbone of Cancer Control
Moderated by Dr. Mary-Ann Etiebet, CEO of Vital Strategies, the session featured a distinguished panel including Ulrika Årehed Kågström, President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC); Dr. Marion Piñeros, Scientist at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); Lilian Genga, Program Coordinator, National Cancer Control Program, Kenya; Dr. Adam Karpati, Senior Vice President for Public Health Programs, Vital Strategies; and Htoo Kyaw Lynn, Senior Technical Advisor, Vital Strategies.
Speakers emphasized that without reliable cancer registries, governments cannot design effective control strategies or measure progress. Dr. Piñeros explained that quality cancer data helps countries understand the true burden of disease, identify priority areas for intervention, and monitor patient outcomes over time.
“Cancer registries are the backbone of every national cancer control plan,” she said. “They provide the evidence that guides prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.”
Innovation Driving Better Outcomes
Panelists highlighted how technology particularly digital platforms and artificial intelligence is helping countries strengthen data collection, case tracking, and reporting accuracy. Kenya’s Lilian Genga shared how her country’s National Cancer Control Program is integrating electronic registries into its health system, enabling early detection and better care coordination.
Representatives from Rwanda and other African nations echoed similar progress, stressing that innovation is bridging long-standing gaps in health data and making national responses more effective.
Ulrika Årehed Kågström of UICC added that partnerships between global and local institutions are accelerating these advances. “Collaboration is key,” she said. “When we combine technical expertise, political will, and community engagement, we can move from isolated success stories to national impact.”
Sustainability and Local Ownership
While innovation is vital, speakers warned that sustainability depends on domestic investment and political commitment. Dr. Adam Karpati of Vital Strategies urged African countries to move toward locally funded data systems rather than relying solely on donor support.
“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.”
Panelists concluded that cancer registries are not just technical tools but life-saving instruments—turning data into decisions and transforming how health systems deliver care.
Closing Reflection
As the world faces an increasing cancer burden, particularly in resource-limited settings, the Berlin session made one message clear: data saves lives. With innovations in cancer registries now shaping global health policy, the future of cancer control may depend not just on medicine, but on the strength of a country’s data systems.
By Bassey Ita-Ikpang
Reporting from the World Health Summit 2025, Berlin.