The Belgian Cancer Registry (BCR)’s mission is to collect, complete, validate, analyse and make data on cancer in Belgium accessible while simultaneously protecting it. We aim to map cancer epidemiology and use research to influence outcomes and quality of life for patients with cancer.
Our goal is to create and constantly improve a comprehensive, high-quality databank, and we rely on the mandatory registration of cancer diagnoses and data on screening by hospitals and pathological anatomy laboratories to achieve this. A good cancer register is an essential foundation for numerous research purposes, including the evaluation of initiatives concerning the primary prevention, early detection and screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of cancer.
Through systematic data collection, scientific research and international collaboration, we endeavour to understand the causes, incidence, survival, geographical distribution, trends and consequences of various cancers. We aim to contribute regionally, nationally and globally to these goals through careful analysis and reporting to the relevant (inter)national bodies, including the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Network of Cancer Registries – Joint Research Centre (ENCR-JRC).
As a Public Benefit Foundation, we conduct research both in-house and in collaboration with our grant providers and stakeholders such as the Intermutualistisch Agentschap (IMA) (the agency responsible for collating data from Belgium’s seven health insurance funds), the Federaal Kenniscentrum voor de Gezondheidszorg (KCE) (the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Centre), the Rijksinstituut voor Ziekte- en Invaliditeitsverzekering (RIZIV) (Belgium’s national institute for health and disability insurance), Sciensano, screening organisations, universities, doctors’ associations and patients organisations (including Kom op tegen Kanker (fight against cancer) and Stichting tegen Kanker (a Belgian foundation for action against cancer)). We also make data available for external research projects. In all its activities, BCR attaches great importance to privacy and personal data protection.
The above-mentioned objectives in relation to the organisation of cancer registration are set out in Article 39 of the act containing various health-related provisions that was ratified on 13 December 2006.
