Why does the NAACCR recommend including case reports of non-residents in population-based central registries?

The recommendation by NAACCR to include case reports of non-residents in population-based central registries is based on the understanding that cancer is a significant public health issue that transcends geographic boundaries. Including non-resident case reports serves several important functions in cancer surveillance and control.

Firstly, sharing information with the residents' population-based registry enhances the completeness and accuracy of cancer data. It allows for a more comprehensive understanding of cancer incidence and trends in a given area. Population-based registries rely on robust data to inform public health strategies, resource allocation, and to track outcomes more effectively. By including cases of non-residents, the registry can better capture the impact of cancer on the local health care system and community. This data is crucial for identifying patterns in cancer epidemiology and for planning prevention and intervention programs.

Secondly, facilitating death clearance processing is another vital function of including non-resident cases. When a cancer patient who was treated in a registry's area but resides elsewhere passes away, having complete information about their treatment and cancer history allows for accurate and timely updates to mortality statistics. This ensures that the registry’s data reflects true patient outcomes, which is essential for ongoing cancer research and understanding long-term survivorship issues.

Thus, including case reports of non-res