Epidemiology of cancer in the Republic of Nauru.

Between November 1998 and December 1999, the Republic of Nauru was one of 8 Micronesian jurisdictions visited by trained medical record abstractors to review all available medical records in order to describe the epidemiology of cancer in Micronesia and to better understand the cancer data and control systems in each entity. There is likely incomplete ascertainment of cancer cases in the Republic of Nauru because of historical events, and the lack of a robust cancer registry and a systematic cancer surveillance system. A national comprehensive cancer control strategic plan and the implementation of that plan would facilitate greater prevention, treatment and control of cancer. The government of Nauru is working towards this end.