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Cancer Registry

The Willmar Regional Cancer Center's Cancer Registry started in 1986. It allows lifetime follow-up of patients through physician contact on a yearly basis.

All Minnesota Cancer Registries are mandated by Minnesota Statute to forward a detailed record on each case of cancer to the Minnesota Cancer Surveillance System (MCSS). The MCSS systematically collects demographic and diagnostic information on all Minnesota residents with newly-diagnosed cancers.

What data is collected?
How is the data used?

What data is collected?

The Cancer Registry at Rice Memorial Hospital is responsible for the collection, management and analysis of data on patients diagnosed with cancer and/or treated at the hospital.

The following data is collected:

Demographic Information

Name
Date of birth
Social security number
Medical record number
Address at diagnosis
Gender
Race

Patient Medical History

Physical findings
Screening information
Occupation
Family and personal history of cancer

Diagnostic Findings

Imaging
Lab tests
Procedures

Cancer Information

Sequence of primary site
Histology
Behavior
Laterality
Diagnosis date

Cancer Staging

Tumor size
Invasion
Lymph nodes
Grade
Metastatic disease

Cancer Treatment

Surgery
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Hormone therapy
Immunotherapy

Cancer Outcomes

Survival status including date of last contact, vital status, or recurrence

Confidentiality

Confidentiality of patient identification information is strictly maintained. Individuals are not identified by name in any reports from the Cancer Registry.

Why collect cancer data?

For cancer program planning

Identify facility and community needs
Estimate market share
Evaluate cost-effectiveness
Allocate resources
Evaluate access to care
Target screening and intervention

Patient care and intervention

Follow-up promotes reexamination
Early detection
Prevention
Benchmarks for quality of cancer care

Research

Epidemiologic risk factor analysis and monitor cancer trends
Outcome assessment - survival analysis and treatment effectiveness
Clinical trials - patient enrollment and grant application and renewal

Education

Medical education - statistical reports of registry data help physicians who treat cancer patients to evaluate the success of specific cancer treatments, thus improving survival rates
Public education - promotes screening programs

Follow Up

The Commission on Cancer, American College of Surgeons, requires cancer registries to have a current date of last contact and vital status (within 15 months) on 90% of all cases diagnosied with cancer and/or treated at Rice.

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