Lawmaker proposes cancer registry

A state lawmaker introduced a bill that, if enacted, would create a registry of cancer patients in Baja California.

Assemblywoman Mónica Hernández, a Tijuana member of the National Action Party, made a proposal to reform several articles of the State Health Law.

The bill would mandate the creation of the Cancer Registry, which would include statistical, historical, social, demographic and clinical data for state residents affected by cancer. The list would be managed by the Department of Public Health.

The agency would comply with all protocols set to protect personal data by obtaining information from the State Health System, which includes private and public organizations.

The goal of the registry is to set useful and strategic information for decision-makers.

“This way we could know objectively state areas mostly affected by cancer, as well as most impacted population, types of cancer, and a series of quantitative and qualitative data that will enable health authorities to address this grave public health issue,” Hernández said.

In 2016, the Department of Health reported that 2,000 people die of cancer every year in the state.

According to historical data, one out of every three residents will have cancer during their lives.

“This is alarming,” she said. “This is why this bill proactively addresses this reality we have in Baja California.”

The bill was turned over to the Legislative Commission of Health.