Development of a minimum dataset for gynaecological cancers

Information about cancers diagnosed in Australia is collected by cancer registries and other agencies so that trends in cancer cases and deaths can be monitored. But there is little or no information about issues such as stage of cancer at diagnosis, treatment information, recurrences and other cancer outcomes.

A cancer “minimum dataset” details the minimum information that should be collected – by hospitals, cancer centres, cancer screening programs and so on – about each person’s cancer and the treatment and care they receive. This information will enable cancer agencies, health professionals and policymakers to monitor cancer services, assess the quality of care and treatment people receive, and plan services for the future.

Minimum datasets have been created to improve the collection of information about some cancers. The Centre is managing a project to develop minimum datasets for cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancers, as these are the three most common gynaecological cancers in Australia and are responsible for most of the deaths from gynaecological cancers.

This project is being undertaken in partnershjp with the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC). The NBOCC will work collaboratively with groups that have already undertaken work in developing data items for ovarian cancer, to promote efficiencies and avoid repetition. It will also draw on any relevant international work in this area. The NBOCC will also establish and work with a Gynaecological Data Items Working Group to guide the development of data items and a data dictionary. Membership of this group will include consumers, gynaecological oncologists, medical oncologists and pathologists.

The project is to be completed in mid-2008.