The Namibian National Cancer Registry (NNCR) was started in 1995 is now a population-based national cancer registry covering the entire population of Namibia.

Concern about potential cancer risks at a local uranium mine led to the registration of all cancers diagnosed by the only central pathology service in Namibia. The project was a cooperation between the Rossing Uranium Company, the Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services (oncology clinic) and the Cancer Association of Namibia. The registry collected all cancer cases presented to the Windhoek state pathology laboratory and the only private pathology laboratory from 1979 to 1994. From 1995 onwards, the Namibian Cancer Registry commenced active registration of both pathology-based and clinical cases for all 13 regions (14 regions since 2013 with “Kavango East” and “Kavango West” while the “Caprivi” was renamed “Zambezi”) of Namibia. Cases that are diagnosed in Republic of South Africa are re-routed to the Namibian registry via a network of registries, which are technically supported by IARC. The Registry aims to provide information that will ultimately lead to improved cancer prevention and control among the Namibian population.

The registry is based at the head office of the Cancer Association of Namibia in the capital, Windhoek.  Activities of the registry are overseen by the CEO of CAN, and the association has facilitated and provided staff support for the registration. At present, no independent budget or resources are available for the registry.

At present, data collection takes place primarily at the Dr A.B. May Cancer Care Centre of Windhoek Central Hospital to which all state cancer patients are referred to for assessment and possible treatment. Majority of private cases are routed to the private Namibian Oncology Centre and all these cases are electronically submitted to the registry via a newly developed e-capturing system of the association. Several private chemotherapy centres now also exist throughout the country.