Ontario Cancer Incidence Database - Data Sources

Data Source

The Ontario Cancer Incidence Database contains records of newly diagnosed (incident) cases of cancer collected, compiled and stored by the Ontario Cancer Registry (OCR). The registry includes all Ontario residents who were diagnosed with cancer or have died of cancer (not including non-melanoma skin cancer).

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit receives the data from the Public Health Branch of the Ministry of Health, through its Health Planning System (HELPS) initiative.

Data Limitations

Postal codes are used to determine the residence of each case at the time of diagnosis. A postal code is recorded on 66% of cases. Where there is no postal code, cases are submitted with Ministry of Health residence codes. Many areas of the province have locations where one residence code is used for several census subdivision codes. In this case, an arbitrary assignment is made.

There is generally a two year lag period before data becomes available.

Data may not include the records of notifications received after the "cut-off date" for processing.