First published by ADR Wales, 24th Feb 2025.
Three new ADR Wales Data Explained outputs provide in-depth summaries of cancer-related data sources. The data sources explored are the Cancer Network Information System (CaNISC – known as CNIS in the SAIL Databank) data, Radiotherapy Dataset (RTDS) and Suspected Cancer Pathway (Monthly (SCPM)) data.
The Data Explained outputs are intended to help guide users interested in this data for the first time as well as provide a foundation for future data source development. Each output is broken down into sections that cover how the data was collected, what the data can be used for, examples of existing research using the data source, limitations of the data and suggested improvements.
The reports are authored by Dr Laura Baker, Dr Arron Lacey and Prof Ashley Akbari, Co-lead of the ADR Wales Major Societal Challenges team.
Dr Laura Baker, Research Officer and Data Scientist and lead author, said: “Cancer remains a major health challenge in Wales, affecting thousands of lives and placing significant pressure on the healthcare system. There is an urgent need to enhance prevention, early detection, and prognosis to improve patient outcomes. In response, Wales published its first Cancer Research Strategy for Wales (CReSt) in 2022, outlining a vision to strengthen cancer research and build capacity in key areas. Among the six identified research themes, our research aligns with theme six, which focuses on population health-based cancer prevention, early detection, primary care, and health services research. A key asset in Welsh research which can underpin population cancer research in Wales, is the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank, a Trusted Research Environment (TRE) that enables large-scale analysis of population health data. By linking multiple data sources, researchers can gain a comprehensive understanding of cancer trends, identifying risk factors, disparities, and intervention opportunities. However, despite the availability of these rich data sources, their use in cancer research remains relatively low. We aimed to clarify the landscape of Welsh cancer data and encourage its use in research. To achieve this, we have developed detailed documentation to help researchers understand the potential of these data and how they can be used to improve cancer care in Wales.”
Prof Ashley Akbari added: “There is a wealth of routinely-collected data sources potentially available to researchers across the UK, which would aid in better understanding, evaluating and leading to potential improvements in cancer services and patient care and outcomes. This work aims to showcase the cancer-specific data sources available in Wales via the SAIL Databank so that both existing and future researchers can identify what data may be available and how they can be used towards their potential research aims. The team are continuing to work on further Data Explained outputs, which we hope to share in the coming months, enabling researchers to see more potential opportunities for their research via linkage of cancer-specific data sources to the wealth of other available linkable anonymised population-scale health and non-health data sources available within the SAIL Databank.”
Read the Data Explained outputs:
Cancer Network Information System (CNIS)
Radiotherapy Dataset (RTDS)
Suspected Cancer Pathway Monthly (SCPM)
Below are some features of one of the data sources, the Cancer Network Information System (CNIS) data:
Read more in the ‘Data Explained’ section of our website.
