Cancer registration in England is conducted by nine regional registries which collect and collate data on cancers in their designated area, and submit a standard data set on these registrations to the National Cancer Bureau at the Office for National Statistics. The National Cancer Intelligence Centre at the Office for National Statistics coordinates the national collation of cancer registration data and carries out a wide range of secondary analysis and research.

Cancer registration is essential to monitor the implementation of the NHS Cancer Plan, which aims to improve the quality of care and survival for cancer patients. Reliable population based information on cancer incidence, prevalence and survival rates are needed and cancer registration is the only available source.

The data set requirements for cancer registration are a subset of the current approved version of the National Cancer Data Set. The Cancer Registration Data Set will be used in the NHS as a standard set of data items that are capable of being collected and transmitted electronically.