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Cancer Reporting

Cancer Reporting Standards and Forms

Under Oregon Revised Statute, all cases of cancer diagnosed on or after January 1, 1996, must be reported to the Oregon State Cancer Registry (OSCaR). Completeness in reporting requires the participation of many reporting sources including hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, physicians/practitioners, pathology labs, and other cancer treatment centers.

Updates in Cancer Reporting Regulations

In December 2017, the rules on state cancer reporting regulations were updated. The new set of rules are in the below links:


Reportable Diagnosis List

Reportable cases are cases that a registry is required to collect and report on. All cancers identified by the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR)/OSCaR are required to be reported to OSCaR.


Case Finding List

Use the casefinding lists to screen and identify prospective cancer cases. Casefinding covers a range of cases that may need to be assessed to determine if the cancer is reportable.

Current and previous casefinding lists are available on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) website. SEER is a part of the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

For an expanded casefinding version, visit the SEER web site: http://seer.cancer.gov/tools/casefinding/index.html


Required Data Elements and Data Dictionary

The Data Standards and Data Dictionary provides detailed specifications and codes for each data item in the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) data exchange record layout. The data dictionary provides general descriptions and rationales for using the codes listed.


Cancer Reporting Types

Who has to report? All health care facilities, physicians, dentists, labs, ambulatory care facilities and other health care providers that diagnose or provide treatment for cancer patients are required by law to report cancer cases to OSCaR.

Health care facilities must report cases of reportable cancer or reportable non-malignant conditions to OSCaR as stipulated in Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) 333-010-0020(1) within 180 days of the date the case first received cancer diagnostic or treatment services at the facility.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) allows for the reporting of identifiable cancer data to public health entities. Because OSCaR falls under the definition of a public health entity, HIPAA allows facilities to report data to the OSCaR in compliance with Oregon state laws and regulations. Written informed consent from each cancer patient reported to public health entities is not required under HIPAA.

To find out how to report please, select the link below based on your facility type: