The Western Australian Cancer Registry

What is the Cancer Registry?

The Western Australian Cancer Registry is part of the Department of Health (Western Australia), and collects information about cancers diagnosed in WA. The reporting of cancers to the Department of Health has been a legal requirement under the Health Act since 1981.

How does information get to the Registry?

Notification of cancer is required by law from pathologists and radiation oncologists. Hospitals also include some coded cancer information in their routine reports to the Health Department. As permitted by the cancer notification regulations, Registry staff may contact doctors or hospitals for additional information.

What information is on the Registry?

Information about patients with cancer includes:

• name and address
• date of birth
• country of birth
• Indigenous status
• location and type of each cancer
• notifying institution and doctor.

The patient details are needed to ensure that accurate information is recorded for each new case of cancer, and that each case is counted only once in the statistics.

What is information on the Registry used for?

The information is used to produce statistics in order to:

• monitor numbers of new cases of cancer in the West Australian population
• plan services for the control of cancer and the care of cancer patients in Western Australia
• monitor and evaluate the quality of cancer treatment, the outcomes of cancer care and the performance of cancer programs
• provide background data for research into the causes of cancer and the benefits of prevention, screening and treatment services
• contribute to national monitoring of numbers of cancer cases and cancer-related deaths, and compare local, national and international trends in cancer rates.

The national data collection is managed by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in Canberra, and is protected by an Act of Commonwealth Parliament.

Who has access to information on the Registry?

The confidentiality and security of all information, including paper and electronic records obtained by the Registry, is treated with the utmost priority. The Registry publishes regular reports showing numbers of cases and rates of different types of cancer. These reports, which are available to the public, never include names or other identifying information.

More detailed information, again containing no personal details, is available to the Health Department of Western Australia, local government, health care institutions, health professionals and health researchers. Bonafide health and medical researchers may request access to information in order to ask individuals if they are willing to be involved in research studies. Access may only be granted under strict conditions, as decided by the Confidentiality of Health Information Committee, which is responsible to the Minister for Health. Two of the committee's most important considerations are:

• the research must be likely to benefit the health of Western Australians
• individuals must be asked for their consent if studies involve a questionnaire or any form of medical test.

Where can I get more information?

Statistics: Cancer statistics are available from the Registry or the Internet (see address below). The website offers general and technical information as well as selected statistics from published reports. Recent reports may be downloaded at no cost. The website address is: www.health.wa.gov.au/wacr/

Cancer: Your doctor will be able to inform you about cancer risks, effects, and treatment. You may also contact the Cancer Foundation of Western Australia for information about cancer, and support services for patients and their families. The Foundation's Cancer Helpline can be contacted by phone on 13 11 20.

Where can I find out more about the Cancer Registry?

More information about the Western Australian Cancer Registry, and copies of publications, can be obtained from:

Senior Medical Officer
Western Australian Cancer Registry
Health Information Centre, Dept of Health
PO Box 8172
Perth BC, WA 6849

Phone (08) 9222 4022
Fax (08) 9222 4236
e-mail:

If you have any concerns about the functioning of the Registry you may discuss them with the Senior Medical Officer as above, or the Director of the Office of Health Review on (08) 9426 0100.