Cancer prevention: the tumor registry connection.

Population-based tumor registries collect data on all cancer patients within a defined geographic area. The information they provide on demographic factors and tumor characteristics contribute greatly to the conduct of etiologic studies. Illustrations based on data reported to the Connecticut Tumor Registry include examples from case-control and retrospective cohort studies, from investigations of multiple primary cancers and precursor lesions, and from a plan to develop a surveillance system for cancers related to occupation and smoking. This statewide project calls for hospitals to collect, on admission of all in-patients, basic data on occupation/business and smoking status and to enter this information on the patient's admission form. These data are to be included subsequently in the tumor record of each cancer patient in the State, thus enhancing the value and usefulness of the Connecticut Tumor Registry.