At present, more than 200 population-based cancer registries exist in vari- ous parts of the world. They cover about 5% of the world’s population, but the proportion is much greater in developed countries than in developing ones. Moreover, in developing countries, registries are more likely to cover urban areas, where access to diagnostic and treatment services is better. Nationwide cancer registration operates in some countries such as England & Wales, Scotland, the Nordic countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Cuba, Puerto Rico and The Gambia. The Danish Cancer Registry, found- ed in 1942, is the oldest functioning registry covering a national population. In most countries, however, population-based cancer registries.
