Cancer patient data are collected from hospitals, pathology laboratories, cancer treatment centers, dermatology clinics and Iowa death certificates. The ICR also collects data from targeted physicians who send their pathology specimens to out-of-state laboratories.
Hospitals with cancer programs in Iowa and in neighboring states submit their cancer data directly to the ICR. The ICR also has data exchange agreements with other states. Data are submitted to the SEER Program bi-annually. Iowa data are submitted to the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) for Cancer in North America (CINA). Iowa data are also submitted internationally for Cancer Incidence in 5 Continents, published by the International Association of Cancer Registries (IARC).
Data collected include patient information, demographics, a description of the cancer, extent of disease, information on first course of therapy, follow-up data and other data items that provide assistance in managing and maintaining cancer registry operations. The ICR follows patients from diagnosis to produce survival figures and to aid in research studies.