The California Cancer Registry (CCR) has published free materials to help physicians  better inform patients about the registry and cancer reporting. A patient information brochure and poster are now available to physicians to distribute to cancer patients at the time of their diagnosis.

CCR, a program of the California Department of Public Health's Chronic Disease Surveillance and Research Branch, is California's statewide population-based cancer surveillance system and is recognized as one of the leading cancer registries in the world. Since 1988, the registry has collected information about almost all cancers diagnosed in California; the only exceptions are basal and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and carcinoma in situ of the cervix. This information furthers our understanding of cancer and is used to develop strategies and policies for its prevention, treatment and control.

At the time of a patient cancer diagnosis, physicians are required to inform patients that their data will be reported to the registry. The regulations stipulate that physicians will inform patients that cancer has been designated a reportable disease and that the clinician will report the diagnosis as required by law.  

To obtain copies of the brochure and poster, visit www.ccrcal.org/Inside_CCR/Patient_Information.shtml.  Questions can be directed to the California Cancer Registry at (916) 731-2500.

The California Medical Association (CMA) also offers a resource document, On-Call document #3662, "Requirements for Reporting Cancer and Parkinson's Disease Cases," available free to members in CMA’s health law library. Nonmembers can purchase the document for $2 per page.