Overview
Dataset Summary
The National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR), administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is a population-based cancer registry program covering approximately 96% of cancer diagnoses in the United States.
NPCR collects standardized data on cancer incidence, stage at diagnosis, initial treatment, tumor characteristics, and patient demographics. The dataset supports public health surveillance, epidemiologic research, evaluation of cancer control programs, and analyses of geographic and demographic disparities in cancer burden.
Caveats
- Access to detailed or restricted-use data requires a Data Use Agreement (DUA).
- The data request and approval process may be lengthy.
- Variable coding can be complex and may require familiarity with cancer registry standards (e.g., SEER/NAACCR coding).
- Primarily incidence-focused; limited detailed treatment and longitudinal clinical follow-up compared to some hospital-based registries.
Examples of Outcomes Examined
- Cancer incidence and survival
- Trends by cancer site and stage at diagnosis
- Treatment patterns
- Geographic variation in cancer burden
- Demographic and socioeconomic disparities in cancer outcomes
Topic
Clinical Epidemiology, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health
Resource Type
Dataset
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