title: Estimation of completeness of case ascertainment of Austrian cancer incidence data using the flow method.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The international comparability of data from population-based cancer registries depends strongly on the completeness of case ascertainment. Furthermore, Austrian observed incidence rates suggest that the completeness of case ascertainment differs between Austrian federal states. Completeness of case ascertainment is to be investigated on national and regional level.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the flow method to evaluate the completeness of the Austrian National Cancer Registry. This method is based on the logical flow of data in the registration system, and on the time distribution of various probabilities inherent in this flow.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall completeness of the Austrian cancer incidence data 2005 was 94.2% after a registration period of 5 years. The flow method found striking differences in completeness between the federal states, which are contrary to the time series analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall completeness of the Austrian National Cancer Registry is in concordance with estimates from international registries. The biggest part of the decrease of incidence rates in the past 2 published years seems to be a result of incompleteness. The importance of the registration date of a cancer case and the survival time on completeness estimation using the flow method has become apparent. Further investigation into the comparability of registration date between the federal states and into the quality of survival time estimates is recommended.
authors.affiliation: 1 Austrian National Cancer Registry, Directorate Social Statistics, Statistics Austria, Guglgasse, Wien, Austria.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hackl
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Waldhoer
mesh_terms: D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D040442:Public Health Informatics / Q000592:standards*; D012042:Registries / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data