Evaluation of the implementation of the national cancer registry of Senegal: lighting the way forward

Introduction Cancer is a real public health problem, the extent of which remains poorly understood due to the lack of reliable and up-to-date statistical data. Establishing a registry providing accurate data on prevalence and mortality is essential to improve the fight against cancer. Therefore, we felt it was appropriate to evaluate the implementation of the national cancer registry in Senegal and shed light on the next steps. Methods A mixed-method study was conducted among Senegalese citizens aged 18–65, including ministry of health Officials, hospital managers, administrators, and clinicians. Quantitative data, collected through individual surveys (REDCap, face-to-face, or telephone) were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data, from 18 semi-structured interviews, were transcribed, coded and analyzed using a hybrid thematic approach, supplemented by REA and Dedoose and QDA Miner software. Results This evaluation revealed that four (4/7; 57.14%) of the Ministry of Health Social Action (MoHSA) cancer registry team and eleven (11/20; 55.00%) hospital directors/clinical department heads endorsed the existence of clearly established standards for implementing the cancer registry in Senegal. Regarding the assertion that key stakeholders have collectively developed a workable plan to facilitate the implementation of a cancer registry in Senegal, all members of the MoHSA team and seven of them endorsed this assertion, compared to only seven (7/20; 35%) of the hospital directors/clinical department heads. Finally, all members (7/7; 100%) of the MoHSA registry team and 40% (8/20) 20) of hospital directors/heads of clinical departments agreed that the designated focal person is fully informed about the cancer registry. Indeed, the sustainability of the registry will also depend on the establishment of solid mechanisms for monitoring and controlling activities related to its management. Discussion All Ministry of Health officials agreed on the need for key stakeholders to collectively develop a feasible plan to facilitate the implementation of a cancer registry in Senegal. They recognize the registry's importance, but its partial implementation leads to data fragmentation, requiring resources and capacity building to ensure its sustainability.