Influence of “big data” on the development of cancer registration methods

The development of cancer registration methods and use of “big data” in China, and the influence of each upon the other, were reviewed. It was found that there have been recent, rapid development in big data and cancer registration, with each having influenced development of the other. Under the influence of big data, cancer registration methods are likely to develop in the following ways: (1) Automated cancer registration; (2) timely collection and collation of cancer data from various sources; (3) overhaul of cancer registration methods with the emergence of health information centers at different levels; (4) construction of cancer data centers at different levels using big data techniques; (5) gradual uptake of hospital-based cancer registration and rapid growth of population- based registration, leading to coverage of the entire population in some more developed provinces. These developments will improve cancer data quality, availability and usability, and will facilitate data sharing, thus extending the application of cancer registration data in areas including surveillance and research into other diseases.