title: The value of collecting population-based cancer stage data to support decision-making at organizational, regional and population levels.
abstract: The stage of a patient's cancer at diagnosis is essential to predict the prognosis and plan the treatment. Since 2008, stage data have been collected on all Ontario patients with breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers and are linked to other data collected by Cancer Care Ontario. Here, an analysis of such data is presented. How it can be used to assess the value of screening programs, inform resource allocation, evaluate compliance with treatment guidelines, compare survival trends and enhance the spectrum of cancer control activities across the province is demonstrated. International comparisons can also be made.
authors.affiliation: James. D. Brierley, MBBS, FRCPC, is a staff radiation oncologist in the Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, in Toronto, Ontario; a member of the Radiation Medicine Program at Princess Margaret Hospital; stage lead for Cancer Care Ontario (CCO); and surveillance lead for the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC). Dr. Brierley can be contacted at 416-946-2124 or by email at james.brierley@rmp.uhn.on.ca.
authors.forename: James D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Brierley
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Srigley
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yurcan
authors.forename: Bob
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Rami
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rahal
authors.forename: Jillian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Mary Jane
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sherar
authors.forename: Rick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sawka
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009864:Ontario; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D012042:Registries