This is a handbook for cancer registries bringing together all recommendations and guidelines that have been prepared so far by the ENCR Working Groups, as well as recommendations prepared by the International Association of Cancer Registries (IACR) and adapted by the Network. Several appendices provide information on the EUROCIM software and databases, the ACCIS project on childhood cancers, automated registration, and structured registry reviews. The complete address list of the ENCR member registries and a list of selected ENCR publications are also included.

Recoge: 1. Epidemiological guidelines for quality assurance in cervical cancer screening - 2. Methods for screening and diagnosis - 3. Laboratory guidelines and quality assurance practices for cytology - 4. Techniques and quality assurance guidelines for histopathology - 5. Management of abnormal cervical cytology - 6. Key performance indicators - 7. Annexes.

Data obtained by population based cancer registries have a pivotal role in cancer control. Now also available in Spanish and French, this volume, which contains 15 authored chapters and four useful appendices, remains a standard reference for those planning to establish new cancer registries and those keen to adopt recognized methodologies. Information is given on the techniques required to collect, store, analyse and interpret data.

This User’s Guide is intended to support the design, implementation, analysis, interpretation, and quality evaluation of registries created to increase understanding of patient outcomes. For the purposes of this guide, a patient registry is an organized system that uses observational study methods to collect uniform data (clinical and other) to evaluate specified outcomes for a population defined by a particular disease, condition, or exposure, and that serves one or more predetermined scientific, clinical, or policy purposes. A registry database is a file (or files) derived from the registry. Although registries can serve many purposes, this guide focuses on registries created for one or more of the following purposes: to describe the natural history of disease, to determine clinical effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of health care products and services, to measure or monitor safety and harm, and/or to measure quality of care. Registries are classified according to how their populations are defined. For example, product registries include patients who have been exposed to biopharmaceutical products or medical devices. Health services registries consist of patients who have had a common procedure, clinical encounter, or hospitalization. Disease or condition registries are defined by patients having the same diagnosis, such as cystic fibrosis or heart failure. The User’s Guide was created by researchers affiliated with AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program, particularly those who participated in AHRQ’s DEcIDE (Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions About Effectiveness) program. Chapters were subject to multiple internal and external independent reviews.

This volume, developed by the Observatory together with OECD, provides an overall conceptual framework for understanding and applying strategies aimed at improving quality of care. Crucially, it summarizes available evidence on different quality strategies and provides recommendations for their implementation. This book is intended to help policy-makers to understand concepts of quality and to support them to evaluate single strategies and combinations of strategies.

Breast cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths in women in Europe, and demographic trends indicate a continuing increase in this substantial public health problem. Systematic early detection through screening, effective diagnostic pathways and optimal treatment have the ability to substantially lower current breast cancer mortality rates and reduce the burden of this disease in the population. This is the fourth edition of these guidelines which contains information on recommended standards and procedures for breast cancer screening and diagnostic services, including chapters on multi-disciplinary aspects of quality assurance, data collection and monitoring, effective communication of information, requirements of a specialist unit, and a certification protocol.

People have always travelled within Europe for work and leisure, although never before with the current intensity. Now, however, they are travelling for many other reasons, including the quest for key services such as health care. Whatever the reason for travelling, one question they ask is "If I fall ill, will the health care I receive be of a high standard?" This book examines, for the first time, the systems that have been put in place in all of the European Union's 27 Member States. The picture it paints is mixed. Some have well developed systems, setting standards based on the best available evidence, monitoring the care provided, and taking action where it falls short. Others need to overcome significant obstacles.