Published on July 13, 2017

Steps in Transforming the Missouri Cancer Registry (MCR) from an Incidence Registry to a Survival Registry

Female Breast cancer (FBC) is the most common invasive cancer among women of all races and ethnicities in the United States (US). We aimed to estimate FBC burden in Missouri in terms of FBC incidence, mortality and survival rates; to visualize these results; and to assess the usability of the Missouri Cancer Registry and Research Center’s (MCR-ARC)’s interactive maps.
FBC survival data were calculated from 2004 to 2010 after matching MCR’s FBC cases with Missouri death records, Social Security Death Index (SSDI), and National Death Index (NDI) database. FBC incidence and mortality rates were measured from 2008 to 2012.  Survival and incidence data were measured by age, race, stage and grade at diagnosis, and senate districts. Mortality data was measured by age, race, and by county and Senate District Groups of Counties. The rates were visualized using InstantAtlas. A scoping review and a two round usability testing study were conducted to explore perceptions of public health professionals about the use of geographic information systems and to assess the usability of the MCR-ARC’s published maps.
The dissertation results could be very informative for Missouri decision makers and public health leaders. The visualized data could enhance the communication between collaborators from different fields related to FBC and to inform health professionals and the public.