Tennessee Cancer Registry
Mission Statement
The Tennessee Cancer Registry (TCR) is dedicated to the collection and use of quality data for the purpose of decreasing the incidence and mortality of cancer in Tennessee.
History
In 1983, the Tennessee Assembly passed Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) § 68-1-1001, which requires all health care practitioners and facilities that diagnose and/or treat cancer patients to report cancer case information to the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH).
The registry strives to collect comprehensive, timely and accurate information on all Tennessee residents diagnosed with and/or treated for cancer. Because this information includes incidence, stage at diagnosis, first course of treatment and vital status, it is a valuable tool in the evaluation of progress toward cancer prevention and control.
Achievements
The TCR is currently a gold-certified registry, the highest level of certification by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR). The TCR has met these highest NAACCR standards of data completeness and quality since the 2005 diagnosis year. It should be noted that data collected during the 2004 diagnosis year met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- National Program of Cancer Registries (CDC-NPCR) minimum standards of data completeness and quality for publication in the CDC’s United States Cancer Statistics Publication, which is the official cancer statistics of the US federal government.
Purpose of the Registry
- To collect accurate information on cancer diagnosed in Tennessee annually.
- To increase awareness of cancer in Tennessee.
- To promote and assist hospital cancer registries in each facility with coding of cancer abstracts.
- To provide information to the public regarding cancer incidence and mortality in Tennessee.
- To serve as a data repository for those requesting information on cancer, its effects, treatment, risk factors, and prevention of the disease.
- To support epidemiological research into the cause, distribution, prevention, and treatment of cancer.
Legislation Affecting the Tennessee Cancer Registry
T.C.A. 69-1-1001 May 2000 Amendment’
In 1983 the Tennessee Legislature passed this law requiring hospitals and laboratories to report to the Department of Health information on patients diagnosed and/or treated for cancer in the state. In May, 2000, the Tennessee Legislature amended this law broadening its scope by expanding the number of reporting sources, allowing access to medical records in the event data is not reported, and provides for the interstate exchange of data.
Public Law 102-515
In 1992 the 102 Congress passed this law allowing states to receive federal grants to support population-based, statewide cancer registries. The Tennessee Cancer Registry has received federal funding from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) since 1997.
Rules and Regulations for the Tennessee Cancer Registry
Registry Contact Information
State of Tennessee Department of Health
Policy, Planning and Assessment
Office of Cancer Surveillance
Tennessee Cancer Registry
Andrew Johnson Tower, 2nd Floor
710 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
Phone 615-741–5548 or 800-547-3558
FAX 615-253-2399 E-Mail: TNCancer.Registry@tn.gov
Staff Contacts: TCR Contacts
Links
Tennessee Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition
American Cancer Society (ACS) - www.cancer.org
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/data/index.htm
National Cancer Institute – www.cancer.gov
National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) – www.cdc.gov/cancer/npcr
North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) – www.naaccr.org