Cancer Services
Cancer Registry
The primary purpose of our Cancer Registry is to collect information that will be used both within St. Rita’s and nationally, to monitor cancer treatment, diagnosis, care and prevention. Physicians and medical center personnel analyze the information and make recommendations to provide better cancer diagnosis and treatment. The data collected is submitted to the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), the Cancer Information Reference Filter (CIRF) and to the Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System (OCISS). St. Rita’s data is then compared to national and state statistics.


Cancer Registry Report of 2002 Data
By Joseph J. Sreenan, M.D.
Cancer Registry Report We (St. Rita’s) have had excellent results in educating women about breast disease and the importance of early detection. We were notified that 65 % of the women diagnosed with breast cancer at St. Rita’s were at stage 0 or 1, which is one of the best statistics in the state. Some 92% were diagnosed at stage two or less. While breast disease continues to be a focus of the Cancer Committee we are targeting women over age 60 in our education and media efforts. Women in this age group are not getting annual mammograms as consistently as younger women, even though the risk increases with age.

We are also pleased with the results of our continuing effort for early prostate cancer detection. In 1993, only 68% of men were diagnosed at stage 2 or less. Last year 85% were diagnosed at stage 2 or less.

We see a need to continue and expand our focus on lung and colorectal cancer. These are our number two and number three cancer sites. The 1992-1997 five year survival rate of St. Rita’s patients with Lung or Colorectal Cancer ranges from 17% to 22% lower, by stage, respectively, than comparable national statistics. The region still has a large number of smokers, which is an ongoing battle. We have increased our education for youngsters with more than 1,300 attending smoking prevention programs. It is our in hope that the early education will help prevent them from starting to smoke.

Colorectal Education Information Colorectal education information is now routinely included in prostate screening programs as well as routine mammography. Updated information sheets about colorectal cancer are available at health fairs and at all St. Rita’s facilities.

Physicians and other healthcare professionals speak to community groups and are featured on regional television spots promoting the importance of colorectal and prostate screenings, mammography and skin cancer prevention.

We will continue to promote earlier detection with increased screening and public education. The information presented in the following graphs and charts represents data collected on patients diagnosed and/or treated at St. Rita’s Medical Center in 2002.

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Fact:
The Ohio Department of Health Quality Assurance Review awarded St. Rita's Cancer Registry an excellent 98% for data quality.