What is FCDS? Answer
What kind of cancer cases must be reported to FCDS? Answer
What kind of data is collected? Answer
What about patient confidentiality? Answer
Who is required to report cancer cases to FCDS? Answer
Who does the actual data collection? Answer
Does FCDS provide training in cancer data collection? Answer
How are cases reported to FCDS? Answer
How often do Florida Hospital Facilities need to report cancer cases to FCDS? Answer
Who uses FCDS data? Answer
What are FCDS data used for? Answer
How do I get more information about FCDS? Answer
How do I get more information about specific cancers? Answer
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What is FCDS (Florida Cancer Data System)?
FCDS is Florida's statewide cancer surveillance system.
FCDS was legislatively mandated in 1978 to collect incidence data on all
cases seen in Florida since 1981. The goal of FCDS is to reduce death and
illness due to cancer by providing data on cancer incidence. These data
are used to observe cancer trends and provide a research base for studies
into the possible causes of cancer.
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What kind of cancer cases must be reported to FCDS?
Florida statute requires all malignant cancers reportable with the following exceptions- In situ carcinoma of the cervix (CIS), intraepithelial neoplasia grade III of the cervix (CIN III) and intraepithelial neoplasia of the prostate (PIN III) are not reportable. Basal and squamous cell carcinoma of non-genital skin sites are not reportable regardless of extent of disease at the time of diagnosis or the date of first contact with the reporting facility. Reportable on or after diagnosis date of 01/01/2001 are Intraepithelial neoplasia Grade III of vulva (VIN III), vagina (VAIN III) and anus (AIN III) and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). All patients with an active, benign or borderline brain or central nervous system (CNS) tumor, diagnosed on or after 01/01/2004, whether being treated or not are reportable. All cancer cases diagnosed and/or treated in Florida since 1981 must be reported to FCDS.
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What kind of data is collected?
FCDS requires that the data collected include information
which indicates diagnosis, stage of disease, medical history, patient demographics,
laboratory data, tissue diagnosis and radiation, surgical or other methods
of diagnosis or treatment for each cancer diagnosed or treated in Florida.
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What about patient confidentiality?
According to Florida Statute 381, Public Health: General
Provisions, "Information submitted in reports required by this section
is confidential, exempt from the provisions of s.119.07 (1) and is to
be made public only when necessary to public health. A report so submitted
is not a violation of the confidential relationship between practitioner
and patient."
Patient record and healthcare facility confidentiality is a growing concern
with cancer and other disease reporting. FCDS frequently reminds reporting
facilities and FCDS staff that patient confidentiality must be maintained
when mailing, faxing and discussing cases over the phone.
FCDS continues to emphasize that behind the data we use every day are real
people. Once a breach in confidentiality has occurred, it is nearly impossible
to regain the trust that patient confidentiality can be maintained
in the future. FCDS continues to adhere to strict security measures to
assure patient and institutional confidentiality.
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Who is required to report cancer cases to FCDS?
All facilities licensed under FL statute 395 and each freestanding radiation therapy center under statue 408.07;
All ambulatory surgical centers as specified by Rule 64D-3.006;
Any licensed practitioner in the state of Florida that practices medicine, osteopathic, chiropractic medicine, naturopathy or
veterinary medicine are required to report under Chapter 381 or any laboratory licensed under chapter FL statute 483
that diagnoses or suspects the existence of a cancer.
See our Law and Rules page for more detail.
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Who does the actual data collection?
Data collection (abstracting) must be performed by trained
personnel. Certified Tumor Registrars (CTRs), abstract most of the cancer
cases in the state. Other data collection personnel are trained by FCDS
or though other recognized training programs.
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Does FCDS provide training in cancer data collection?
Yes, FCDS offers an online training course
for incidence abstracting. The FCDS incidence abstracter
training covers the minimum basic material required to execute Florida
incidence abstracting. We also host several teleconferences a year.
Our Downloads page has archived teleconferences.
Contact FCDS at (305) 243-4600 for details.
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How are cases reported to FCDS?
Cases are reported to FCDS electronically. FCDS
follows nationally recognized reporting protocol to assure consistency
in case reporting from facility to facility.
FCDS does provide Florida reporting facilities with the free Internet Abstracting
and Data Entry module (IDEA)
that meets the minimum requirements for FCDS reporting of cancer cases.
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How often do Florida Hospital Facilities need to report cancer cases to FCDS?
FCDS policy requires that Florida health facilities report cancer cases at least quarterly.
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Who uses FCDS data?
FCDS data are used by approved researchers, health planners,
epidemiologists, physicians, Florida legislators, medical students and
a variety of other qualified parties.
Data are always held in strictest confidence. Names of patients are never
released unless researchers have been approved to receive names following
a rigorous approval process with the Florida Department of Health.
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What is FCDS Data used for?
FCDS data is used in a variety of ways:
To inform health professionals and educate citizens regarding specific cancer risks.
To answer public questions and concerns about cancer
To focus cancer control activities in the state
To monitor the occurrence of cancer
To aid in research studies
To develop health services and screening programs
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How do I get more information about FCDS?
See our 
