Cancer Control Program

Rhode Island Cancer Control Registry

For Researchers

Index Date

The Rhode Island Cancer Registry was established by the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1985. It began collecting reports of newly diagnosed cancers on 1 October 1986, and newly diagnosed benign neoplasms of the brain or central nervous system on 1 January 1997. 

Timeliness of Data

Under the Rules and Regulations of the Rhode Island Cancer Registry, cases of malignant disease and benign neoplasms of the brain or central nervous system must be reported to the Registry within 180 days of diagnosis. About 75 percent of all cases are reported within this deadline, and virtually all cases within 90 days thereafter. In January of 2004, for example, cancer incidence data were available through the end of 2002. 

Cases Diagnosed Out of State

The Rhode Island Cancer Registry has forged reciprocal data sharing agreements with the States of Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York. Rhode Island residents whose cancers are diagnosed in these states are reported to the Rhode Island Cancer Registry as well as to the states in which the cancers are first diagnosed. These cases are batched before they are sent to Rhode Island and may therefore experience significant delays in reporting. 

Availability of Data

In addition to the cancer statistics listed on this website, other data may be requested from the Registry.

Non-confidential data may be requested by calling (401-222-1172) or by e-mailing the Rhode Island Cancer Registry. 

Confidential data may be requested by submitting a formal proposal for their use to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Rhode Island Department of Health (c/o J Joann Lindenmayer, DVM, MPH, Chair, Room 408, Rhode Island Department of Health, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908-5097), with a copy to the Rhode Island Cancer Registry (c/o John P. Fulton, PhD, Room 403, Rhode Island Department of Health, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908-5097). Guidance for submission (policies, procedures, and actual forms) to the Department of Health's IRB is now available online. Questions regarding confidential data requests may be referred to the Rhode Island Cancer Registry by telephone 401-222-1172) or by e-mail. 

Confidential data may be released to qualified researchers who assure strict protection of human subjects, including the confidentiality of all information from cancer case reports.