How IKNL supports researchers, registries, and health centers worldwide
Reducing the impact of cancer through data-driven insights
Together with care professionals, researchers, patients, and policy makers we translate data into valuable insights to improve oncological and palliative care.
Open access to cancer data
Expertise in data integration
International collaboration
The Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR)
The Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) has been the national source of cancer data since 1989, providing comprehensive and reliable statistics on cancer in the Netherlands. Maintained by the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL), the NCR is a cornerstone of cancer control—supporting efforts from prevention and early detection to treatment, survivorship, and palliative care.
By fostering innovation and collaboration, IKNL actively shares expertise to strengthen cancer registries worldwide. This international exchange helps uncover global cancer disparities and accelerates progress toward reducing the impact of cancer.
Through the NCR, we offer open access to high-quality cancer data that fuels meaningful research and drives better outcomes. To truly advance cancer care, we must deepen international collaboration—across prevention, incidence, diagnostics, treatment, follow-up, survivorship, and end-of-life care.
For more detailed information on cancer incidence, trends, and outcomes in the Netherlands, explore key statistics and insights here. Read more >>
The Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) is the national registration since 1989, providing statistics on cancer in the Netherlands. Read more >>
International comparison of cancer data helps identify trends, improve treatments, and share best practices to enhance global cancer care. Read more >>
IKNL collaborates internationally to compare data, share best practices, and promote equitable access to quality oncological care. Read more >>
Data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) is available for scientific research and statistical purposes, including epidemiological studies. Read more >>
We actively partner in innovative and challenging projects, fostering progress through shared knowledge and expertise. Do you want to collaborate with us? Read more >>
About IKNL
The Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL) provides data-driven insights to reduce the impact of cancer at both the individual and societal level. As the national centre of expertise for oncological and palliative care, research and practice, IKNL collaborates with healthcare professionals, administrators, and patients to continuously improve cancer and palliative care.
Using data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) – a nationwide, population-based cancer registry – we support healthcare professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders in evaluating and advancing cancer care and prevention.
Advancements in technologies and medicines are driving new treatment possibilities in oncology and palliative care. This requires increased specialisation among professionals and stronger collaboration between them. At the same time, there is a growing demand for transparency around the effectiveness and efficiency of treatments, including the responsible use of new medicines.
As a centre of expertise, IKNL actively responds to these developments. We support the continuous improvement of care quality and assist in policymaking and the development of collaborative networks, such as the Comprehensive Cancer Networks (CCNs) and palliative care consortia.
IKNL also contributes data and insights from the NCR to the public information platform kanker.nl , which receives around 80,000 visits per month and plays an important role in citizen and patient engagement.
IKNL in Europe
Joining forces in the EU Mission on Cancer and Europe's Beating Cancer Plan
IKNL is actively involved in a wide range of European initiatives that contribute to Europe’s Mission on Cancer and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan (EBCP). Through participation in international research projects, data collaborations, and policy-driven networks, we work to align Dutch cancer care and prevention with the broader European agenda — and to bring European insights back into national practice. See our page Projects and Networks for more information about our involvement.
One of our key contributions is through the Netherlands Cancer Collective (Nederlands Kanker Collectief), an independent and inclusive collaboration of 140 organisations and initiatives from within and beyond the healthcare sector. The collective brings together knowledge, capacity, and resources from diverse partners, based on the belief that cancer is too complex a challenge to tackle in isolation - and that we must keep the needs of citizens and patients at the heart of our efforts.
Together, we are implementing the Netherlands Cancer Agenda — a results-oriented, forward-looking plan with ambitious goals and concrete actions for the next decade. The agenda focuses on accelerating progress on urgent cancer-related issues and fostering breakthroughs, while also addressing health inequalities, improving quality of life and reducing the need for care through prevention. .
As part of the EU-funded ECHoS project (Establishing Cancer Mission Hubs: Networks and Synergies), IKNL contributes to building the Dutch Cancer Mission Hub through the Netherlands Cancer Collective. In doing so, we help connect national efforts with European ambitions, ensuring that Dutch knowledge, innovation, and data infrastructures contribute to — and benefit from — Europe’s collective fight against cancer.
Research
Data from the NCR currently are used in over 200 publications per year in peer reviewed medical journals and have a proven impact on cancer. For example, quality improvement based on insights from the NCR resulted in decreased postoperative hospital mortality rates, being most outspoken for patients with pancreatic cancer: from 24 to 4%. The NCR is also used as a primary source for evaluating effectiveness of treatment. Prediction models based on NCR data help individual patients and care professionals in shared decision making.
