Minnesota Cancer Reporting System (MCRS)
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Legislative Authority for MCRS
"Minnesota Cancer Reporting System” (MCRS) is the new name of Minnesota’s statewide cancer registry, which, since 1988, was known as the Minnesota Cancer Surveillance System (MCSS). The new name corresponds to the completely new registry system that became operational on May 1, 2017, and emphasizes the two-way nature of reporting in MCRS: medical providers report data to MCRS, and MCRS analyzes and reports meaningful statistics to Minnesotans.
Minnesota Statutes and Rules
The Minnesota Cancer Reporting System is mandated by Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144, section 144.671-144.69 and Minnesota Rules, chapter 4606. This legislation specifies the manner in which all cancer cases must be reported to the MCRS. It also requires that all data remain private. View the Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota rules at:
- Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144, section 144.671
- Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144, section 144.672
- Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144, section 144.68
- Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144, section 144.69
- Minnesota Rules, chapter 4606
- Mandated Reports
Federal Legislation
The Cancer Registries Amendment Act in 1992 established the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR). This federal legislation, administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), collects data on the occurrence of cancer; the type, extent, and location of the cancer; and the type of initial treatment. The legislation enhances the MCRS as it provides, in part, funds to improve existing state cancer registries, to provide training, and to set standards for completeness, timeliness and quality.
The Benign Brain Tumor Cancer Registries Amendment Act was passed in 2002. This federal mandate requires cancer registries participating in the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) to collect data on all benign and borderline tumors of the brain and central nervous system for cases diagnosed since January 1, 2004, in addition to the previously required data on malignant tumors.
HIPAA and Cancer Reporting
HIPAA permits the reporting of information about cases of cancer to the MCRS in accordance with the requirements of Minnesota statute and rule. HIPAA Privacy rules took effect on April 14, 2003. The following documents will help those who diagnose and treat cancer patients in understanding how the federal rules affect cancer reporting to the MCRS: