Linking Databases
Studies that link data from multiple databases are a valuable resource
in cancer surveillance and in the evaluation of factors influencing
cancer trends and quality of care. These linkages greatly expand
the availability of data on a variety of health-related issues that
can be examined in light of cancer registry data. Investigators
may link databases to examine changes in patterns of care, the use
of cancer tests and procedures, and the costs of cancer treatment,
as well as to enhance case finding and follow-up for persons with
cancer.
RRSS investigators are conducting studies to:
- examine treatment patterns;
- examine the electronic transfer of medical records to a state
registry;
- explore new linkages of SEER cancer databases with other health-related
databases;
- use existing insurance databases to analyze the patterns of
breast cancer screening and treatment among patients in a variety
of health care settings;
- compare two linked databases to study variation in treatment
patterns of breast cancer;
- examine the association of Medicaid status with late-stage cancer;
- compare total charges for care provided in hospitals to charges
attributed to cancer among terminal patients.
Registries Funded to Conduct these Studies
Connecticut
Hawaii
Iowa
New Mexico
Northern California Cancer Center (SF-OAK)
Seattle (Puget Sound)
Key Findings
Among breast cancer patients, postmastectomy breast reconstructive
surgery was not related to the patient's tumor size, marital status,
or race (black versus white), and declined with increasing age at
diagnosis and with poverty rate (of the census tract of residence).
Treatment charges for inpatient and outpatient charges increase
with extent of disease and decrease with age.
Future Use
Continue the linkage of databases to increase their utility for
cancer research. Encourage the use of electronic transfer of data
to decrease the cost of data collection and increase their timeliness.
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