Record linkage in cancer registries serves which primary purpose?

• A. To identify duplicates and to track patients across data sources for accurate follow-up and mortality data
• B. To reduce the number of records
• C. To anonymize patient records
• D. To merge hospitals

Answer: (A)

Record linkage is about recognizing when records from different data sources refer to the same person so they can be combined into a single, complete patient history. In a cancer registry, this means connecting tumor reports, hospital records, pathology data, and death certificates to track each patient over time. By matching identifiers and other details, duplicates within the registry are resolved and follow-up information such as vital status and date of death is correctly attributed to the right patient. This yields accurate incidence counts, reliable survival analyses, and comprehensive mortality data, which are essential for valid epidemiologic insights. It’s not primarily about reducing the number of records, anonymizing data, or merging hospitals, but about creating a coherent, longitudinal view of each patient across sources.