Governor Blagojevich announces Illinois State Cancer Registry receives highest award for excellence in cancer data collection

Illinois receives gold certification for 10th consecutive year

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced the Illinois State Cancer Registry has received gold certification from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries for 2008. This marks the 10th consecutive year Illinois has earned this honor. Only those registries meeting the highest standards are awarded gold certification.

“The Illinois State Cancer Registry has been the cornerstone in our battle against cancer in Illinois. The information that is collected allows us to understand the cancer burden and trend in our state and helps us target our prevention and control efforts,” said Governor Blagojevich. “I am delighted that the sustained excellence of the registry has again been recognized.”

The North American Association of Central Cancer Registries annually reviews all state cancer registries in North America for their performance in collecting complete, accurate and timely cancer data.

The Illinois State Cancer Registry, maintained by the Illinois Department of Public Health, is the only source for population-based cancer incidence for the State. The information collected by the Registry is important for cancer surveillance and research efforts, both statewide and nationally. Identification of cancer cases is dependent upon reporting by hospitals, as mandated by state law.

“Our appreciation goes out to the cancer registrars from hospitals throughout Illinois who report cancer cases to Illinois and to the staff of the Illinois State Cancer Registry who compile the information submitted by hospital reporters for their contributions toward achieving the Gold certification.” said Dr. Damon T. Arnold, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The Registry provides information about population-based cancer incidence studies, cancer by site numbers, morbidity and mortality data, and statistics broken down into cancer type, sex, race, age and geographical area.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one of four deaths in the United States is attributable to cancer. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Illinois and the United States, and the leading cause of death for Illinois citizens aged 45-64. Cancer affects all racial and ethnic groups and kills more Illinoisans annually then AIDS, injuries and homicides combined. It is projected more than 61,600 people in Illinois will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and more than 25,300 will die from cancer.

To access information from the Illinois State Cancer Registry, simply log onto http://www.idph.state.il.us/cancer/index.htm.