How accurate are Scottish cancer registration data?

Abstract

SinaryIn order to assess the accuracy of Scottish cancer registration data, a random sample of 2,200 registrations, attributed to the year 1990, was generated. Relevant medical records were available for review in 2,021 (92%) cases. Registration details were reabstracted from available records and compared with data in the registry. Discreancies in identifying items of data (surname, forename, sex and date of birth) were found in 3.5% of cases. Most were trivial and would not disturb record linkage. Discrepancy rates of 7.1% in post code of residence at the time of diagnosis (excluding differences arising through boundary changes), 11.0% in anniversary date (excluding differences of 6 weeks or less), 7.7% in histological verification status, 5.4% in ICD-9 site codes (the first three digits) and 14.5% in ICD-O morphology codes (excluding 'inferred' morphology codes) were recorded. Overall, serious discrepancies were judged to have occurred in 2.8% of cases. In many respects, therefore, Scottish cancer registration data show a high level of accuracy that compares favourably to the reported accuracy of the few other cancer registries undertaking such analyses.

Trends of oral cavity, oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer incidence in Scotland (1975–2012) – A socioeconomic perspective

“…The quality indicators for registration of head and neck cancer tumours at the Scottish Cancer Registry are high, with approximately 85% of cases being microscopically confirmed and less than 2% Death Certificate Only registrations [21,22]. Moreover, several studies have provided evidence of the high, and constantly improving, case-ascertainment [23][24][25]. The limitations of this study include the lack of data on tumour HPV positivity, behavioural factors (e.g.…”

Risk of cancer in patients with dermatomyositis or polymyositis and follow-up implications: a Scottish population-based cohort study

“…The quality of cancer registry data in Scotland is also believed to be high, both in terms of accuracy (Brewster et al, 1994) and ascertainment (Brewster et al, 1997). The method of record linkage used in Scotland is estimated to result in mismatched records in less than 2% of cases (Kendrick and Clarke, 1993).…”

Evidence for an age‐related influence of microsatellite instability on colorectal cancer survival

“…Scottish National Cancer Registry data are highly reliable, 28 since they are acquired from 3 independent sources: pathology returns, hospital patient coding data and death certificates. Indeed, in the present study, there was only 1 patient identified through hospital or pathology records who was not identified by the Registry.…”