Ms Babongile Ndlovu, a lead investigator explains how the study came about and her role in it.
What is this study about?
This study reports on the key findings of the Ekurhuleni Population-Based Cancer Registry (EPBCR) for 2022. It focuses on the systematic collection of cancer data in Gauteng province, South Africa, presenting statistics on cancer incidence, demographics, and the types of cancers diagnosed.
Why does this matter?
Robust cancer surveillance is crucial for informing effective cancer prevention and control policies. By providing quality data on cancer cases, population-based cancer registries help to shape healthcare strategies, allocate resources, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
What drew your interest in this area of research?
My interest in this area stems from the critical need for accurate cancer data in addressing public health challenges. Understanding cancer trends and demographics can lead to better-targeted interventions and policies, particularly in regions with diverse populations and varying healthcare access.
What was your role in the study?
My roles included the day-to-day management of surveillance officers who collect data from healthcare facilities in the Ekurhuleni District, coordinating and monitoring field site activities, and managing data for the Ekurhuleni Population-Based Cancer Registry on REDCap. Additionally, I was responsible for data cleaning, analysis, and interpretation, and I served as the leading author of this manuscript.
Why should people read this article?
People should read this article to gain insights into the current state of cancer incidence in Ekurhuleni District, a representation of a South African population, understand the importance of population-based cancer registries, and recognise the implications of these findings for future healthcare policies and practices.
What impact do you hope this study will have on public health policy and access to healthcare?
I hope this study will lead to strengthened cancer surveillance efforts in South Africa, encourage the establishment of additional population-based cancer registries, and ultimately improve the accuracy of cancer incidence estimations. This, in turn, should enhance public health policies and increase access to healthcare resources for cancer prevention and treatment.
Ms Babongile Ndlovu is an epidemiologist at the National Cancer Registry, based at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.
