Innovative field methods for residence confirmation and updating follow-up status of cancer cases: Experience from rural cancer registry, Punjab, India

Background: The Sangrur population-based cancer registry, Punjab state, India experienced several challenges in confirming residence as well as updating the follow-up status of cancer cases, which is critical for accurately labelling incidence and providing cancer survival. This study presents innovative field strategies adopted by the Sangrur population-based cancer registry for residence confirmation and updating follow-up status of cancer cases. Methods: A network was developed with the involvement of local community members to validate the address and follow-up status of cancer cases. In addition, social media was used to trace patients who were loss to follow-up. Results: The Sangrur population-based cancer registry was unable to trace a total of 31 cancer cases. After implementing innovative field methods, 26 (83.9%) cases were successfully traced back; while 5 (16.1%) cases were untraced despite several efforts. A majority of these 31 cases were from urban areas (93.5%) compared to rural (6.5%). True Caller with the help of WhatsApp contributed significantly by tracing 9 cases (34.6%); followed by 4 cases (15.4%) traced with the help of a postman, 3 cases each (11.5%) with the electoral list and gas agency personnel, and 2 cases (7.7%) through medical shops. Also, 2 cases (7.7%) were traced with the help of treating hospital while Facebook and property tax office traced 1 case (3.8%) each. Conclusion: By engaging with the local community, and with the use of social media, the patient's residence and follow-up status can be updated. Due to this method, accurate labelling of the incidence can be achieved

Deciphering the Patterns of Dual Primary Cases Registered at the Hospital-Based Cancer Registry: First Experience from Rural Cancer Center in North India

Objectives The objective is to present the patterns of dual primary malignancies diagnosed at the Pathology Laboratory of Cancer Hospital with the support from hospital-based cancer registry (HBCR), Sangrur, Punjab, India for the years 2018 and 2019. Methods HBCR abstracts data from electronic medical records. Trained cancer registry staff abstracts cases in standard pro forma. Dual primary was coded as per the International Agency for Research on Cancer rule and was rechecked by the pathologist. Statistical Analysis Data about multiple primary was entered and documented in an Excel sheet. Time interval was calculated by subtracting the date of diagnosis for second primary and first primary. Results A total of 6,933 cases were registered, 45 cases are dual primary (26 females, 19 males) of which 64.4% are synchronous and 35.6% metachronous cases. Seventy-nine percent received cancer-directed treatment for synchronous and 87% for metachronous. The most common sites of the primary tumor were breast (33%), head and neck (22.2%), gynecological sites (11%), prostate (9%), esophagus (4%), and remaining other tumors (20.8%). Most common sites for second malignancies were gastrointestinal (GI) tract (31%), gynecological sites (18%), head and neck (16%), hematological malignancies (7%), soft tissue sarcoma (4%), breast (2%), and other sites (22%). Conclusion More than 70% of cases of primary tumors were in breast, head and neck, gynecological, and prostate. Of these, more than 60% of the second malignancy was found in the GI tract, gynecological, and head and neck sites. Around two-thirds of dual tumors are synchronous. Breast cancer cases have higher incidence of second malignancy. Regular follow-up is necessary to assess the survival of the second primary