Information System of Nationwide Population-Based Cancer Screening in Taiwan

Abstract

Background: Pap smear screening was the first nation-wide population-based organized screening since 1999 in Taiwan. After that, nationwide screening programs for breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and oral cancer have been launched since 2004. The national online information system was built for the infrastructure, monitoring, delivery, evaluation, and management of health care services in our nationwide screening program. Aim: To develop a comprehensive health information system for cancer screening to assist health professionals in processing screening with quality assurance and evaluation. Methods: A Web-based solution combining data gathering and processing capabilities was developed. Application design in a server was based on the ASP, HTML, DHTML, Java Script, Java Applet technology and SQL-SERVER relational database. Web-based software programs were developed to facilitate the structure, process, and outcome for screening. Individual screening data were transferred to centralized databases via the Internet. The client-users now include 25 health bureaus, 369 health centers and over 6500 clinics or hospitals. Results: The Taiwanese cancer screening system incorporates nationwide breast cancer screening with mammography, colorectal cancer with fecal immunochemical test, oral cancer with visual inspection. The key performance index for screening including screening rate, positive rate, referral rate, positive predictive rate, detection rate, and interval cancer rate were provided in the system. The system allows for the flow of information among different health services and country areas to monitor participants in the whole process screening. It has an alert system to prevent delayed referral for cases in need of diagnosis and treatment. A total of 2.27 million women aged 45-69 years have attended biennial mammography screening program at least once between 2004 and 2014. More than 4.6 million subjects with the exposure of betel quid and/or cigarette have attended the biennial oral cancer screening. Around 3.8 million subjects aged 50-74 years have attended the biennial FIT screening. Information on organized features appertaining to screening, diagnosis, and outcomes after long-term follow up were collected for the systematic evaluation. The proposed health information system for cancer screening is centered on modules that would allow for the computerization, process, update of screen data, and link with other registry data (e.g., population registry, cancer registry, and mortality). Conclusion: A nation-wide information system for breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and oral cancer screening was successfully developed to support health professionals and health decision makers for planning, delivery, management, and evaluation in population-based cancer screening program.