South African National Cancer Prevention Services

Abstract

The South African National Cancer Prevention Services (SANCaPS) comprises a group with clinical, epidemiological, and oncological skills, established to fill the need for comprehensive and holistic cancer prevention. The primary objective of this collective effort is the translation of laboratory research into primary preventative medicine. A secondary aim is to stimulate ongoing research. Significant work on inherited colorectal cancer has been conducted in the Western and Northern Cape for over two decades. Established processes and protocols are already in place to identify and manage at-risk individuals. Consequently, it is logical to expand this work to a national level. This approach will help build the necessary infrastructure for future expansion into other cancer types. A step in this direction has been taken by the SANCaPS group who have advised that the data processing component should be associated with the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) and the National Cancer Registry. This choice is informed by the fact that all cancer histopathology reports, whether from the public or private sector, pass through the CDW. This setup enables the identification of inherited cancers. The primary objective is to identify family members at high risk for developing cancers in the future. The National Registry has the legislative framework to provide the services SANCaPS require.