National Cancer Registry Discussion White Paper

Overview

The National Cancer Registry Discussion White Paper proposes the establishment of a registry that systematically collects and analyses data on all cancer cases, providing high-quality evidence to support policy development, programme planning and implementation, quality improvement, and the evaluation of national cancer screening programmes.

The establishment of a National Cancer Registry represents a significant investment in the health of the Cayman Islands. By strengthening cancer surveillance while maintaining rigorous protections for personal health information, the Registry will provide the evidence needed to improve cancer prevention and control, support healthcare planning, and contribute to better outcomes for our people. 

Why It Matters

1. Cancer is a major public health issue in the Cayman Islands, accounting for 20.7% of all deaths, or approximately 1 in every 5 deaths, making it the second leading cause of death in the country (ESO, 2025).

2. The Cayman Islands currently does not have a population-based cancer registry, limiting the ability to accurately monitor cancer trends, understand the burden of disease, and plan services based on comprehensive national data.

3. A National Cancer Registry would provide reliable, islands-wide cancer data, supporting evidence-based policies, healthcare planning, resource allocation, and the evaluation of cancer prevention and screening programmes.

4. The Registry would help improve cancer outcomes by enabling better understanding of who is affected by cancer, identifying trends over time, and informing targeted prevention, early detection, and treatment initiatives.

5. Strong privacy protections will be built into the Registry, with data collected and managed in accordance with the Data Protection Act (2021 Revision). Personal identifiers such as names, addresses and dates of birth will not be stored in the Registry.

6. Patient privacy will be fundamental. The Data Protection Act (2021 Revision) will provide the legal framework for the collection, use, disclosure and retention of Registry data, with confidentiality requirements and penalties for breaches. The Registry will contain pseudo-anonymous data, excluding names, addresses and dates of birth, with each person assigned a unique registry ID. The proposed National Cancer Registry Bill will also protect confidential Registry information from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (2021 Revision).

Residents, healthcare professionals, businesses, community organisations and other stakeholders are invited to review the proposal and provide feedback before the legislation is finalised.

Comments can be sent to mohfeedback@gov.ky before the consultation period closes.

How Your Information Will Be Used

Responses to this consultation will help inform the development of a Bill, allowing the Cayman Islands' health legislative framework to remain responsive to community concerns and public health priorities.

Responses may also be shared with other public bodies involved in this consultation to assist in developing the relevant policies. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide practical examples or supporting information with their submissions. However, please note that any responses, though made public, your personal data will remain anonymous.

In keeping with the Cayman Islands Data Protection Act (DPA) Schedule 2, Paragraph 5(b), we may use your email address in the following ways to:

• Contact you if we require clarification on your feedback.
• Send you updates on the outcome of this consultation (where requested).

In accordance with the DPA, your personal information will remain confidential and will not be published or shared outside of this Ministry.