Reviewed: 18 April 2012
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Introduction
The BC Cancer Statistics section is produced by Cancer Surveillance & Outcomes.
Cancer Surveillance & Outcomes is a unit of the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA) within the Population Oncology portfolio. The unit undertakes a range of cancer surveillance activities. The unit’s main functions are:
- produce BC provincial cancer statistics (see below about data sources for this section of statistics)
- responsible for the strategic component of the BC Cancer Registry
- support evaluating the quality and outcomes of cancer care
- support BCCA disease specific outcome units, research and programs such as screening, radiation oncology and surgical oncology
- a data request service for cancer information
- oversee the data integration of multiple BCCA databases
- application development for data capture and reporting
This section demonstrates the magnitude and effects of cancer in the BC population through findings on cancer incidence (new cases), mortality (cancer deaths), incidence and mortality rates, age standardization rates, regional statistics, trends, projections and survival statistics. Data used to compile these statistics was obtained from the BC Cancer Registry and the BC Vital Statistics Agency.
We invite you to browse within the 4 main areas of this section:
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Thank you for your patience as the content and format of this section are always in the stages of development. If you have questions or require further information, please refer to the 'Contacts' section. |
BC Cancer Registry
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What is the BC Cancer Registry
The BC Cancer Registry collects data and generates cancer statistics on the BC population for the purpose of monitoring the burden of cancer in the province.
Specifically, it provides data for cancer control. That is, it provides ongoing information on the scope of the cancer problem, information to plan programs to reduce mortality and morbidity from cancer, monitors the effectiveness of such programs, and provides information on the size of the cancer problem in the future to aid in future planning.
It also serves as a source of information for research. Research based on population registries avoids one source of potential bias due to non-representative participation and is of better quality than research that uses non-population-based sources.
The BC Cancer Registry has been in existence since 1969, and has been maintained at the BC Cancer Agency since 1980. It contains personal and demographic information as well as diagnosis and death information on all cases of cancer diagnosed to BC residents.
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What is the Authority of the BC Cancer Registry
The BC Cancer Agency is authorized through the BC Health Act (Section 9) and the BC Cancer Agency Research Information Regulation to operate the Cancer Registry for cancer surveillance and research.
Confidentiality and security of personal information is protected via the BC Freedom of Information and Personal Privacy Act (FOIPPA).
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What are the Conditions of Access and Use
Use of the Cancer Registry for Surveillance
The BC Cancer Registry contributes data to monitor cancer incidence and mortality in British Columbia (see Facts and Figures), Canada (Canadian Cancer Statistics), North America (The North American Association of Central Cancer Registries), and the world (International Agency for Research on Cancer).
In British Columbia, BC Cancer Registry statistics are used to monitor trends and regional differences in cancer incidence and mortality, to project the numbers of new cancer cases for planning of cancer treatment facilities and regional cancer care, to assess future workload demands, to evaluate access to care, to determine the success of treatment, and to measure the effectiveness of provincial screening programs.
Use of the Cancer Registry for Research
Use of the Cancer Registry for research is authorized by the Health Act. Access to registry information for research is allowed only with approval by an accredited review board, only with BC Cancer Agency oversight, and only under conditions of use that comply with FOIPPA.
Researchers wishing to access the registry for research should email Surveillance and Outcomes Unit - Population & Preventive Oncology at datareq@bccancer.bc.ca for application forms and information on conditions of use.
In British Columbia, BC Cancer Registry data have been used for many studies of risks of cancer, including environmental risks, occupational risks, and genetic susceptibility. In the past ten years, studies of childhood leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and occupational cancer risks have been undertaken in BC using the registry.
BC Cancer Registry data have also been used for national and international studies of risks of cancer.
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Director of BC Cancer Registry
BC Cancer Agency
Cancer Control Research Program
Tel: 604-675-8071
(reception)
Toll Free: 1‐888‐675‐8001 x8071
Fax: 604-675-8180
Email: registrydirector@bccrc.ca
The BC Cancer Registry would like to thank BC hospitals, pathologists and other members of the medical profession who have submitted data for their ongoing active support of the registry.
Thank you to BC Vital Statistics Agency for continued assistance with death notifications.
And we also wish to acknowledge and thank all staff of the BC Cancer Registry and the Surveillance and Outcomes Unit in Population & Preventive Oncology for their commitment to accurate and timely data collection and for maintaining the data integrity of the database.
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