skip to: page content | sidebar navigation | header navigation | footer navigation



Find Services \| News & Information \| Rules & Regulations \| Business Information	(Buscar)

Reference Center
Epidemiology Unit

Texas Cancer Registry

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs Index

General Cancer-Related Questions
Cancer Reporting-Related Questions

Cancer Data-Related Questions
SANDCRAB Lite Questions

General Cancer-Related Questions

I know several people in my community with cancer, is this a cluster?

Has the Cancer Surveillance & Epidemiology Branch investigated cancer in my community?What kinds of cancer data are available and how do I request it?

Q. How do I obtain a copy of a TCR publication?

A. There are two ways: You can go to the publications section of our web page, and view and/or print the information online, or you may call us (1-800-252-8059) and make your request.

Q. Where can I obtain an assessment of a cancer treatment facility?

A. The Texas Cancer Registry does not assess treatment facilities and cannot provide such information. We suggest you contact the Health Facility Licensing and Compliance Division at DSHS.

Q. How can I obtain more general or statistical information about cancer?

A. We provide additional links to web sites offering a variety of useful cancer information. This information ranges from assistance in coping with a cancer diagnosis, to providing national or state cancer statistics.

Q. I have been diagnosed with cancer. How do I find out if I am in the Texas Cancer Registry database?

A. By law, all newly-diagnosed cases of cancer (with the exception of basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers) are reported to the Texas Cancer Registry. In order to find out if you personally have been reported, you may send us a letter requesting this information and provide your full name, social security number and date of birth.

Q. I have just been diagnosed with cancer, and I want to know why I developed this type of cancer and what I could have done to prevent it?

A. It is natural to wonder about prevention and ask the question "why me?" But, scientists and physicians can rarely assign a particular cause to a particular cancer case. Cancer is a common disease, everyone is susceptible, and it is seldom possible to explain exactly why someone develops cancer. There are many factors that influence the likelihood of developing different types of cancer. Some factors, such as diet, physical activity or tobacco use, we can do something about. Other factors, such as genetics or metabolic processes in the body, we have no control over. The TCR has provided links for additional information and resources for persons diagnosed with cancer.

-Return to Top

Cancer Reporting-Related Questions

Q. Where do I find information on Texas cancer reporting requirements?

A. This information can be found on our Reporting web page.

Q. How can I get help with my cancer reporting?

A. We provide information for our reporters including our Cancer Reporting Handbook, as well as a free software, SANDCRAB Lite, which facilitates reporting. For other kinds of assistance, including training, etc., contact the Texas Cancer Registry at (1-800-252-8059) to make your request.

Cancer Data-Related Questions

Q. Where can I find cancer incidence/mortality rates for my area of Texas?

A. These data are available online for counties or for Public Health Regions. To obtain rates for a combination of several counties at once, or for average annual rates for specific years, send your request to the Texas Cancer Registry, e-mail , or call us at (1-800-252-8059) to make your request. We also publish reports on cancer incidence and mortality in Texas, including county-specific and PHR-specific data, as described on our Publications webpage.

Q. How can I obtain cancer data for some other site or format than that provided on the web page?

A. This information is available by making a Data Request to the Texas Cancer Registry. When you call or e-mail, please be sure to try and clearly describe the types of data you are seeking and the format in which you need the data. Most data requests for simple rates, etc., are provided within one working day.

-Return to Top

Q. How do I obtain cancer data on age at diagnosis?

A. Our cancer incidence and mortality reports, Cancer in Texas and Texas Cancer Mortality Statistics contain specific tables or figures on average age at diagnosis or death. You may contact the Texas Cancer Registry by e-mailing , or calling (1-800-252-8059). This type of request can usually be answered within 24 hours.

Q. Where can I find a code list for the classifications used for cancer, the ICDO-3, ICD-9 or ICD-10?

A. For data obtained on this website, we provide the site recode list for incidence and mortality rates on our Statistical Data webpage.

Q. How can I obtain geocoded data, or cancer data by census tract?

A. All of our cancer data are not yet geocoded, therefore, census tract data are not yet available from the Texas Cancer Registry. We hope/expect to have such data in the future. In the meantime it may be possible to obtain the detailed address information needed to do your own geocoding, but this requires a rigorous application process for confidential data, and such applications are only approved after careful evaluation and review. To obtain more information about this process, or obtain the application for personal/confidential cancer incidence data, go to our Information for Researchers section.

Q. How can I get more information about the big changes in cancer rates beginning in 1999?

A. These changes were due to a change in the standard population used for age-adjustment.This is described on our Standard Population section.

-Return to Top

SANDCRAB Lite Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When I submit cases to the TCR via diskette, why do I get a rejection letter stating that my diskette was blank? What am I doing wrong?

A: When submitting cases to the TCR, please follow the instructions on page 17 of the Sandcrab Lite User's Guide, dated September 2005. The most common problem when submitting cases is that the user forgets to select drive A: when submitting data via diskette. Sandcrab Lite automatically defaults to drive C. Selecting drive A: when you are prompted to "Select a directory to place" will eliminate the blank diskette problem.

Q: When I search for a record in SCL I get the message "No Match Found", but when I run a Hospital Data Report, I see the record I was searching for?

A: This is a common mistake as well, but with an easy fix. This relates to the security setup in Sandcrab Lite. From your main SCL Screen click on the Maintenance/Setup folder. Next click on the Security Setup button. Once you are in the Security screen, make sure that "View ALL cases" is check for all users. The SCL default has that button unchecked. You can find the procedure for Security Setup on page 28 of the SCL user's guide. This will usually solve the problem. If it does not, please call the Sandcrab Lite Helpdesk.

Q: When I start up Sandcrab Lite (SCL), I get the following error message: "Mess: Missing or Invalid FPT file 'NAERROR'".

A: When this message appears it is usually because one of two things has happened. You may have had a power outage while Sandcrab Lite was running or someone didn't shutdown the computer appropriately while Sandcrab Lite was running. This can be preventable by always making sure that Sandcrab Lite is not running or actually any program is running before turning off your computer. The power outage is sometimes unpredictable and it just happens. If you get this error message, please contact the SCL Helpdesk. We will need to fix your data files.

Q: We would like to have our data on the network, how do we go about doing that?

A: This is actually an easy process, but your network personnel should do this. Page 6 of the Sandcrab Lite User's guide will guide them on how to place the data onto the network.

-Return to Top

Contact TCR

Last Updated April 17, 2007