Making Data Available Through County Cancer Profiles
Alabama Statewide Cancer Registry
One of the most frequent requests for cancer registry data involves county-level incidence rates. County-level incidence rates are available on the Alabama Statewide Cancer Registry (ASCR) Web site for the major cancer sites by race and gender in the Alabama Cancer Facts and Figures (ACFF). Prior to creating the County Cancer Profiles, the information was spread across six tables near the end of a large document. Now, the County Cancer Profiles summarize the incidence rates for each county into a simple one-page document.
Many state health agencies have used the County Cancer Profiles, including the Comprehensive Cancer Program, Alabama Breast and Cervical Early Detection Program, Fitway, the Department of Minority Health, and the Bureau of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease. These profiles also have been used by public health area coordinators, county health departments, physicians, hospital administrators, students, and private citizens. The ASCR has received positive feedback via e-mail and phone conversations pertaining to these profiles. The only criticism was difficulty finding them on the ASCR Web site. On the basis of a user suggestion, the ASCR Web site was modified in 2010 to give the County Cancer Profiles their own navigation link to make it easier for visitors to access the data.
The ASCR has been encouraged by the successful use of the County Cancer Profiles as well as the use of the State Cancer Maps (statewide thematic maps based on the ACFF information). Based on the success of this initiative, the ASCR is exploring new avenues for making data available through the ASCR Web site. This includes creating dynamic maps that allow users to generate their own maps based on ACFF data.
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
4770 Buford Hwy NE
MS K-64
Atlanta, GA 30341 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348
8am–8pm ET
Monday–Friday
Closed on Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
