In this issue: upcoming elections to the ENCR Steering Committee, new ECIS long‑term cancer burden estimates up to 2050, publication on stage data availability in European cancer registries, and the ENCR calendar of events released.
News
Upcoming elections to the ENCR Steering Committee
The ENCR will shortly launch the next round of elections to renew part of the ENCR Steering Committee for the 2027–2029 term. From 1 August 2026, ENCR-affiliated registries will be invited to submit candidatures in line with the ENCR Membership and Election Rules, ensuring balanced representation across European regions and key partners in the cancer registry community. More information on eligibility, timelines and how to apply will be made available on the ENCR Elections page.
Long-term cancer incidence and mortality estimates up to 2050 published
New long-term estimates of cancer incidence and mortality are now available in the European Cancer Information System (ECIS) for EU-27 and EFTA countries, extending projections up to 2050. These estimates build on the 2024 ECIS incidence and mortality figures and Eurostat population projections scenarios, providing an up-to-date view of how the cancer burden may evolve over the coming decades. The revamped long-term estimates section of the ECIS Data Explorer allows users to explore cancer-specific trends by country and sex, and to download data for further analysis.
New publication on availability of stage information in ECIS cancer registries
A new JRC–ENCR paper in the International Journal of Cancer presents the first Europe-wide overview of how population-based cancer registries contributing to ECIS collect and use stage at diagnosis data for six major cancer sites: breast, cervical, colorectal, gastric, lung and prostate cancer. The study documents recent progress in stage data availability, while highlighting remaining gaps and heterogeneity across countries. Its findings provide a baseline for future efforts to improve completeness, comparability and harmonisation of stage information to support cancer surveillance and evidence-based policymaking.
Events
ENCR will organise an online workshop on the new recommendations for recording recurrence, progression and transformation (RPT) episodes in population-based cancer registries. The programme will include an overview of CancerWatch survey results on current RPT practices, a detailed presentation of the ENCR recommendations, registry case studies from selected Cancer Registry, and practical exercises to support implementation in routine data collection.
ENCR will organise an online training on the recommendations for recording cancer treatment in population-based cancer registries. The session will present results from the CancerWatch survey on current treatment recording practices, report on analyses of treatment data submitted to the ECIS database, and use specific examples to illustrate key coding rules and common challenges in routine registry work.
Tools
eLearning modules »
The e-Learning modules aim to facilitate the training of cancer registrars in coding topography, morphology and cancer stage, implementing the relevant international classifications.
JRC–ENCR Quality Check Software (QCS) updated to version 2.3.16 »
The JRC–ENCR Quality Check Software has been updated to version 2.3.16. Recent updates in this version include:
- multivariate checks for follow-up and staging variables
- a new summary output file with a detailed list of error codes by variable type
- updates to existing univariate and multivariate checks
- Population/Mortality/Life table validation protocols
Additionally, The graphical user interface has also been improved with new features, making it easier for registries to review data quality issues and navigate the results.
Ask an Expert »
The Ask an Expert section is available on the ENCR website for those who wish to submit questions about difficult-to-code cancer cases. Questions may be submitted in the original language.
ENCR STEERING COMMITTEE
97th ENCR SC meeting
The ENCR Steering Committee met on 23 March 2026 virtually. Summary minutes are available for consultation.
Please don't hesitate to send us relevant news and events that may feature in the next issue of the ENCR Newsflash.
News
Launch of the CancerWatch Joint Action Official Website
The CancerWatch Joint Action is proud to announce the launch of its official website cancerwatch.eu — the central hub for everything related to the Joint Action. CancerWatch brings together partners from across Europe to strengthen the quality, speed and usability of cancer registry data, ensuring that evidence truly informs decisions at national and European level. The shared ambition is clear: better data for better decisions — and ultimately, better outcomes for people affected by cancer.
BENCHISTA Study: Paper on Survival Variation published in JAMA Network Open
We are pleased to announce the latest BENCHISTA study publication in JAMA Network Open, analysing stage at diagnosis and international survival variation in childhood tumours. The study highlights marked global differences in survival and the importance of early diagnosis, high quality data, and strong collaboration between clinicians and cancer registries. As stage at diagnosis explains only part of the geographical survival gaps, the paper also introduces the project’s second phase, which will report 5 year survival for the six tumour types studied and further examine the impact of therapy and biological features (NSP).
Reminder: Special Issue on Cancer Registries for High-quality Real-World Data — deadline extended to 30 April 2026
The ESMO Real-World Data and Digital Oncology Journal has extended the submission deadline for its Special Issue "Cancer Registries for High-quality Real-World Data" to 30 April 2026. The Special Issue invites contributions on advancements and challenges in cancer registry data and its application in real-world oncology research. Submissions are welcome across several categories, including short communications describing the structure and research potential of specific registries, as well as original research articles, perspectives or reviews addressing innovative methods for data collection and standardisation, use of registry data in prevention and early detection research, treatment patterns and disparities, and quality of care.
Events
The Cancer Survival Group at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) will run its 19th annual short course on cancer survival. This full-time, in-person course covers the theory, formulae and statistical modelling of cancer survival, as well as cancer registration, data quality control, and other cancer metrics including incidence, mortality, cure and prevalence. International comparisons of survival and the public health and policy implications of trends and inequalities are also addressed. Faculty includes Professor Claudia Allemani, Professor Michel Coleman (LSHTM) and Professor Maja Pohar Perme (University of Ljubljana). Over the past 20 years, the course has welcomed participants from more than 60 countries worldwide.
TThe ENCR Steering Committee are organising two webinars in 2026. Dates will be announced soon.
The Call for Abstracts for the 50th GRELL Scientific Conference in Dijon, France has the submission deadline: 31 March 2026 at midnight. Registration is open; information on fees and submission guidelines is available on the conference website.
ENCR STEERING COMMITTEE
96th ENCR SC meeting
The ENCR Steering Committee met on 3 December 2025 virtually. Summary minutes are available for consultation.
Tools
eLearning modules »
The e-Learning modules aim to facilitate the training of cancer registrars in coding topography, morphology and cancer stage, implementing the relevant international classifications.
Quality Check Software (QCS 2.3.1) »
Version 2.3.1 of the JRC-ENCR Quality Check Software includes software upgrades and the revision of the data quality checklist. Cancer registries are encouraged to check regularly for the most up-to-date version on the ENCR website.
Ask an Expert »
The Ask an Expert section is available on the ENCR website for those who wish to submit questions about difficult-to-code cancer cases. Questions may be submitted in the original language.
Please don't hesitate to send us relevant news and events that may feature in the next issue of the ENCR Newsflash.