The Design and Implementation of a Breast Cancer Information System in Iran

Increasing incidence of cancers, particularly breast cancer (the third cause of death in Iran), the role of information in decision making, policymaking and planning, and the need to assess the status of breast cancer in the country and the world necessitated a research to describe the advantages and disadvantages of the existing information on breast cancer patients. The present study examined the effects of implementing an online management system for breast cancer treatment to resolve the current challenges. This applied study involved preparing the proposal and designing the study protocol, providing the stakeholders with details, obtaining the required approval from the Policymaking Council of the Ministry of Health, designating the secretariat of the center for breast cancer educational management, research, and treatment under the supervision of the Deputy of Research and Technology, software design and production, determination of laboratories where immunohistochemistry-fluorescence in situ hybridization (IHC-FISH) tests were performed, identification of drugstores distributing trastuzumab across the country, and presentation of the final software for integrated online recording of breast cancer information. Lack of integrated information and absence of communication between relevant departments have resulted in inaccurate and untimely (and of course offline) recording of breast cancer information in the country. Launching the designed system and public participation can partly resolve the existing problems. Our findings underscored the need for the implementation of an information and treatment management system for breast cancer in Iran. Such a system provides a powerful infrastructure for service provision to all laboratories, drugstores, and specialists who are eager to constantly monitor their patients. It also facilitates data analysis and access to information during decision-making by the managers and experts in different geographical levels.