The Cancer Registry

Facts about Cancer

Because cancer has such a far-reaching effect on our society, an information collection system has been developed to identify further treatment plans and needs for cancer patients. Cancer patients in the Mercy system are now part of our Cancer Registry. This registry protects your anonymity but contains information such as name, sex, age, address and ethnic origin; medical information on the extent of disease and types of medical treatments received; and the names of your physicians, as mandated by the State of Ohio.

The Cancer Registry is important because it combines a patient's specific medical history and treatment information with that of other cancer patients with similar diagnoses. These reports are used by the cancer treatment team in evaluating the results of various cancer treatments and to assure that quality care is being provided. They are also used by the Ohio Department of Health to identify cancer incidence trends.

Each patient's progress will be followed at annual visits with their physician. The statistical information gathered as part of those visits will be included in our hospital Cancer Registry. It will also be forwarded to the Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System. All information provided to the Cancer Registry is kept confidential. If you are currently not following up with a physician who diagnosed or treated your cancer, you will receive a confidential letter from the cancer registry on a yearly basis.