Topic/focus: Disease - Specific / Registry Year(s): 1973 - present Source: National Cancer Institute Study and sample characteristics: Medical records Universe: Incidences of all types of cancer in selected catchment areas Variables: 60+ Access: Requires registration and data use agreement Cost: Free Key web links: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Primary Institutional Contact: EDRC Coordinator (tchelius@mcw.edu)
Summary: NCI's SEER database is a cumulative collection of cancer incidence and survival data from 11 population-based cancer registries covering approximately 14 percent of the U.S. population. Registry catchment areas were selected based on their ability to operate and maintain a high quality population-based cancer reporting system and for their epidemiologically significant population subgroups. SEER's population is comparable to the general U.S. population with regard to measures of poverty and education, but the SEER population tends to be somewhat more urban and has a higher proportion of foreign-born persons. As of 1996, information on more than 2.3 million in situ and invasive cancer cases is included in the SEER database, and approximately 160,000 new cases are accessioned each year. The SEER registries routinely collect data on patient demographics, primary tumor site, morphology, stage at diagnosis, first course of treatment, and follow-up for vital status.