What resources can assist Nebraska’s cancer registry program?

Challenge

Examining the burden of cancer in Nebraska requires specialized expertise to collect and manage standardized oncology data in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) requirements.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) needed additional resources and technical capacity to maintain its central cancer registry, monitor statewide rates of cancer incidence and mortality, and assess outcomes of its Nebraska Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NECCCP). As an NPCR-funded registry, Nebraska must meet rigorous federal standards for data quality, completeness, and timeliness, which require ongoing oversight, advanced data management, and specialized quality control activities.

Solutions

NDHHS selected Westat to support population-based cancer surveillance and maintain the state’s central cancer registry. Westat works closely with NDHHS to ensure compliance with NPCR requirements and uphold the highest standards of data quality.

Westat’s responsibilities include:

• Data acquisition and case consolidation
• Database management
• Quality assurance and quality control activities
• Facility audits
• Preparation and submission of annual data files to NPCR and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR)

Additionally, Westat conducts routine death certificate linkages and follow-back investigations to identify cases in which cancer is listed on a death certificate but not yet recorded in the registry. This ensures that all eligible cancer cases are captured and registry data are complete and accurate.

Results

Through this partnership, the Nebraska Cancer Registry has achieved the highest level of certification from both NPCR and NAACCR, meeting rigorous standards for data completeness, accuracy, and timeliness. As a result, Nebraska’s data are now eligible for inclusion in the Cancer in North America (CiNA) database.

These high-quality population-based data allow Nebraska to:

• Monitor cancer incidence and mortality trends statewide
• Compare state rankings with national benchmarks
• Track new cancer diagnoses across the state
• Support research initiatives
• Inform evidence-based prevention strategies
• Develop and evaluate the NECCCP

All of these efforts strengthen Nebraska’s ability to reduce the burden of cancer and improve health outcomes for its residents.