What was the purpose of the Cancer Registry Act and Cancer Registry Regulations introduced in 1993?

The Cancer Registry Act and Cancer Registry Regulations introduced in 1993 were specifically designed to prevent under-reporting of primary cancers in New Zealand. The establishment of a centralized cancer registry allows for the collection and comprehensive analysis of cancer data, ensuring that all cases of cancer are accurately recorded. This is crucial for understanding cancer trends, planning healthcare services, and providing appropriate resources for cancer care and prevention.

Improving the accuracy of reporting serves multiple purposes in the healthcare system, such as helping to identify at-risk populations, guiding cancer research funding, and enabling targeted public health interventions. A reliable cancer registry is foundational for maintaining effective cancer control programs and understanding the overall burden of cancer in the population.

The other options, while related to cancer in broader terms, do not align with the primary focus of the legislation. The act was not primarily concerned with funding for research, standardizing treatments, or raising public awareness, although those are important aspects of overall cancer care and prevention efforts.