RALEIGH -- North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) State Cancer Registry is being recognized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a Registry of Excellence for collecting complete, timely and high quality data for the 2012 diagnosis year.  North Carolina is among 19 states to achieve this recognition for its most recent data submission, which is a reflection of high-quality data available for cancer prevention and control activities at the local, regional and national levels. Researchers use this data to determine preventive measures, such as targeting screenings for those most at risk, and best treatment options for those who have been diagnosed.

"I am proud of the well-deserved recognition the North Carolina Central Cancer Registry recently received," said Danny Staley, Acting Director of DHHS' Division of Public Health. "The work they do with hospitals and data reporters statewide is essential to planning and evaluating cancer control programs, so we can detect trends and fight cancer with the most appropriate medicines."

Data collected by the N.C. Central Cancer Registry is the only source for population-based cancer surveillance activities used to monitor cancer trends. The registry collects and provides information on cancer incidence, by cancer site, age, race, gender, stage at diagnosis, first course of treatment and geographical area.

In addition to the Registry of Excellence, the Central Cancer Registry recently received gold certification from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) for its 2012 data, which met or exceeded NAACCR Standards for Data Completeness and Quality, allowing data to be included in the United States Cancer Statistics (USCS) report, as well as information compiled internationally.