Lela Sturua MD PhD MPH
Head, NCD Department
National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC)
Full Professor; Tbilisi Medical Academy (TMA)
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and poses a significant public health challenge in Georgia. Reliable epidemiological data are fundamental for planning effective prevention, early detection, treatment, and evaluation of cancer control programs. The Georgian Cancer Registry plays a central role in providing accurate data to support evidence-based public health policy, resource allocation, and clinical decision-making.
The need for a comprehensive population-based cancer registry became evident when estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) indicated that the actual number of cancer cases in Georgia in 2012 was approximately three times higher than those reported through the country’s paper-based reporting system. This discrepancy highlighted substantial underreporting and demonstrated the need for a modern electronic cancer surveillance system.
In response, the Government of Georgia initiated legislative reforms in 2014 to establish the National Cancer Registry. Following a successful pilot phase, the registry was implemented nationwide on January 1, 2015. Since then, it has evolved into the Unified Cancer Information System (UCIS), integrating cancer registration, laboratory reporting, organized screening programs, and analytical tools within a single electronic platform. This integrated system has improved the completeness, quality, and timeliness of cancer data while strengthening coordination among healthcare providers and public health institutions.
According to the Georgian Cancer Registry, 12,548 new cancer cases were registered in 2024. The increasing number of reported cases reflects not only the growing cancer burden but also significant improvements in case ascertainment and reporting. Women accounted for approximately 52% of all newly diagnosed cases, while men represented 48%.
The highest numbers of new cancer cases were reported in Tbilisi, Adjara, and Imereti. Cancer incidence increases considerably with age, with most cases occurring among individuals aged 50 years and older, particularly those between 60 and 79 years of age. Among women, the most frequently diagnosed cancers were breast, thyroid, colorectal, corpus uteri, and cervical cancers. Among men, prostate, lung, colorectal, bladder, and stomach cancers were the leading malignancies. These findings provide valuable evidence for prioritizing prevention strategies, organized screening programs, and healthcare resource allocation.
Stage at diagnosis remains a key indicator of cancer control performance. Although an increasing proportion of cancers are diagnosed at early stages, a substantial number of patients continue to present with advanced disease, limiting treatment options and reducing survival. The integration of breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancer screening into the Unified Cancer Information System has improved monitoring of screening coverage and patient follow-up, supporting earlier diagnosis and better clinical outcomes.
Cancer Registry data also facilitate the evaluation of treatment patterns and outcomes. Five-year survival has improved for several common cancers, particularly breast, thyroid, and prostate cancers, reflecting advances in early detection and treatment. However, survival remains comparatively low for lung and stomach cancers because many patients are still diagnosed at advanced stages. In 2024, surgery remained the most frequently used treatment modality, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, while hormone therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and iodine therapy were applied according to clinical indications. These findings demonstrate the multidisciplinary approach to cancer management currently implemented in Georgia.
Despite substantial progress, several challenges remain. These include improving data completeness and quality, strengthening TNM staging documentation, integrating environmental and behavioral risk factor information, enhancing interoperability between health information systems, reducing regional disparities, ensuring sustainable funding, and strengthening workforce capacity. Addressing these challenges will further improve the quality of cancer surveillance and support more effective public health planning.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends implementing evidence-based interventions known as Best Buys and Quick Buys to strengthen national cancer control. These highly cost-effective measures include HPV vaccination for girls and boys, organized breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening linked to timely diagnosis and treatment, and the integration of tobacco cessation services into routine healthcare. Comprehensive tobacco control, implemented through the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), including higher tobacco taxation, smoke-free policies, comprehensive advertising bans, prominent health warnings, and accessible smoking cessation services, remains one of the most effective strategies for reducing the future burden of lung cancer and other tobacco-related diseases.
The Georgian Unified Cancer Information System provides an excellent platform for implementing these WHO recommendations by expanding organized screening, strengthening HPV vaccination, improving tobacco cessation services, and enhancing the quality of Cancer Registry data. These interventions will contribute to earlier cancer detection, improved treatment outcomes, reduced cancer mortality, and more efficient use of healthcare resources.
In conclusion, the Georgian Cancer Registry has become a cornerstone of the country’s cancer control strategy. By providing accurate, comprehensive, and timely epidemiological data, it supports clinical practice, public health planning, scientific research, and health policy development. Continued modernization of the registry, together with implementation of WHO-recommended prevention and screening strategies, will further strengthen cancer surveillance and contribute to reducing the burden of cancer in Georgia.
