Cancer registration in Switzerland

As is the case almost everywhere in the world, cancerous diseases are also widespread in Switzerland. The federal government and the cantons are constantly working to better understand cancer and ensure the best possible care for all patients. An important part of these endeavours is cancer registration – this has been enshrined in law since 2020.

In Switzerland, around 350 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer every year, including many infants and young children. The most common types of cancer in children are leukaemia, brain tumours, lymphomas and a number of rare tumours from immature embryonic tissue that do not occur in adults. For the cancer registration of children and adolescents, as well as for cancer monitoring, health reporting and scientific studies, it is necessary to compile data at a national level. The Cancer Registration Act therefore provides for the registration of cancer in children and adolescents up to the age of 19 in the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry. Cancer cases in adults are recorded in cantonal cancer registries, depending on the patient’s canton of residence.

At cancer-registration.ch you will find the most important information on the collection, registration and evaluation of data on cancer in Switzerland. Find out how cancer registration works and what the rights of patients are.