Population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) collect information on all new cancer cases occurring in well-defined geographic population, enabling data on incidence and survival [1]. PBCRs are essential for planning, monitoring, and evaluating cancer control programs. However, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), the implementation of PBCRs, as a critical surveillance system remains limited.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer´s (IARC) publishes periodically the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5) series, which provides globally comparable cancer incidence data from high-quality PBCRs[2]. The number of registries and population coverage included in CI5 reflect progress in data quality. In recent years, Latin America has made notable progress: whereas in volume VI included seven registries representing six countries, volume XII had representation of 24 registries and nine countries [2].

Despite this growth, high-quality PBCR coverage in the region remains low—only 8 % of the population in Central and South America is covered by PBCRs that contributed to CI5 [3]. Key challenges include sustaining and improving data quality, insufficient human and financial resources, difficulties in staff training, research capacity, and lack of interest from decision-makers. There is a general perception that the usefulness of the data collected by the registries is limited and, in some cases, less reliable estimates are more frequently used by policymakers and researchers. This may be due to the limited visibility, lack of knowledge on interpretation and data quality, the absence of national representation or timely updates [4], [5].

A survey among PBCRs in 14 countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) found that although all registries contributed to cancer control planning, only 39 % used their data in palliative care and 15 % in rehabilitation [6]. Key barriers included governance, funding, personnel, delays in reporting, mortality data access, and insufficient resources for quality assessment or survival analysis [6].

This study assessed the current use of PBCR IN Latin America (LATAM). We documented the characteristics of participating PBCRs, use of their data, barriers and facilitators to data use in cancer control, and explored opportunities to enhance the role of PBCRs in the context of cancer control.