Cancer Registry
The Willmar Cancer Center is classified as a Community Hospital Cancer Program, which has been approved by the American College of Surgeons since 1989. 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. 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.

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

What data is collected?

1. Demographic Information
   • Name
   • Date of birth
   • Social Security number
   • Medical record number
   • Address at diagnosis
   • Sex
   • Race
   
   
2. Patient Medical History
   • Physical findings
   • Screening information
   • Occupation
   • Family and personal history of cancer
   
   
3. Diagnostic Findings
   • CT scans
   • Lab tests
   • Procedures
   
   
4. Cancer Information
   • Sequence of primary
   • Site
   • Histology
   • Behavior
   • Laterality
   • Diagnosis date
   
   
5. Cancer Staging
   • Tumor size
   • Invasion
   • Lymph nodes
   • Grade
   • Metastatic disease
   
   
6. Cancer Treatment
   • Surgery
   • Radiation therapy
   • Chemotherapy
   • Hormone therapy
   • Immunotherapy
   
   
7. Cancer Outcomes
   • Survival status including date of last contact, vital status, or recurrence

Why collect cancer data?

1. 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
   
   
2. Patient care and intervention
   • Follow-up promotes reexamination
   • Early detection of cancer
   • Prevention of cancer
   • Benchmarks for quality of cancer care
   
   
3. Research
   • Epidemiologic: Risk factor analysis and monitor cancer trends
   • Outcome Assessment: Survival analysis/treatment effectiveness
   • Clinical Trials: Patient enrollment and grant application and renewal
   
   
4. Education
   • Medical Education: Statistical reports of registry data help physicians who treat cancer patient to evaluate the success of specific cancer treatments, thus improving survival rates and quality of care
   • 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 diagnosed with cancer and/or treated at Rice.