The V.I. Health Department has signed a contract with Reflectx Oncology Resources to create a long-anticipated territorial cancer registry, according to the department.

Cancer registries collect data on cancer occurrence (including the type, extent and location of cancer) and the types of treatment. Analysis of cancer registry data enables researchers, clinicians, policy makers, public health professionals and members of the public to monitor the burden of cancer and identify health care needs for cancer prevention and control efforts.

In 2012, the U.S. Interior Department awarded the V.I. Health Department $418,000 to develop a central cancer registry, through a technical assistance program grant. This grant enabled the Health Department to hire Reflectx Oncology Resources, according to the department.

Reflectx Oncology Resources offers an array of oncology data management services to assist cancer registry programs with compliance and reporting requirements of the National Program of Cancer Registries and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, according to a statement from the Health Department.

"The V.I. Cancer Registry Program will be a central population-based registry that will maintain data on cancer incidence … and death from cancer … within the Virgin Islands to better understand and more effectively address the territory’s cancer burden," Health Commissioner Darice Plaskett said in the statement.

The V.I. Central Cancer Registry Program will be a component of the Department of Health Chronic Disease Program. With the development of a Cancer Registry underway, the Department of Health will continue to keep the public informed about the services and operations of the registry.