- Safely anonymized big data on cancer patients being updated
and additionally linked with information on COVID-19 -
- Starting August 1, high quality data will be available to researchers at the K-CURE portal -
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, Minister Cho KyooHong), the National Cancer Center (President Seo HongGwan), and the Korea Health Information Service (President Yeom MinSeop) have announced that, starting Thursday, August 1, researchers will have access to an enhanced version of the K-CURE Public Cancer Library. This initiative is part of the healthcare data-centered hospital project.
The K-CURE Public Cancer Library is a big data resource designed for research purposes. It includes anonymized data on cancer patients in Korea, such as registration, screening, medical use, and mortality data, which is securely handled to ensure individual privacy. The scope and types of data available have now been expanded.
* ①Cancer registration data (Korea Central Cancer Registry), ②Health insurance eligibility and screening information (National Health Insurance Service), ③Medical usage and claims information (Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service), ④Mortality information (Statistics Korea)
First, the dataset on COVID-19 infection and vaccination information provided by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has been added. The data coverage, originally from 2012 to 2019, has been extended to 2020, resulting in 2.26 million anonymized datasets available to researchers.
Researchers can request access to the required data through the K-CURE portal (k-cure.mohw.go.kr). After a review process ensuring appropriate anonymization and evaluating research necessity, data can be utilized within the Safe Utilization Centers.
* These centers, equipped with secure, closed analysis environments, are located at the Korea Health Information Service, the National Cancer Center, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Chungnam National University Hospital, and Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center.
Ko HyungWoo, Director General of the Bureau of Advanced Health Technology Policy, emphasized, "With the enhancement of the K-CURE Public Cancer Library, higher quality cancer big data can now be utilized for research. We will continue our efforts to promote data-based research in the healthcare sector while rigorously protecting personal information." ///