Cancer information
6.17 Assessment of the quality of cancer treatment depends upon the availability of accurate and relevant information about the process and outcomes of care for patients.
Too often though information about cancer treatment is collected on an ad hoc, local basis. The result is duplication of effort, inconsistency and gaps in information availability.
6.18 The need for national cancer datasets to ensure consistency of information collection was identified as a high priority in the Cancer Information Strategy, published in June 2000. These datasets will build on those already developed for some cancers by professional groups.
6.19 So the National Cancer Director, working with the NHS Information Authority and leading clinicians, is drawing up national datasets for cancer. The first datasets will be available in 2001 and will cover lung, breast, colorectal and head and neck cancers. Datasets for the remaining tumour groups will be developed by 2002.
6.20 These datasets will meet the needs of clinicians, cancer registries and managers. They will put an end to the duplication of effort currently entailed in gathering data. Patients can be confident that the quality of their treatment is properly coordinated and monitored.
