The North Dakota Statewide Cancer Registry collects information about new cancer cases, cancer treatment and cancer deaths.

North Dakota Century Code (Section 23-07-01) authorizes the North Dakota Department of Health to maintain a statewide population-based registry system.

The University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, became the Department’s bona fide agent and assumed responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the cancer registry on July 1, 2012. All hospital, laboratories, physicians and other health care providers are required by state law to report all newly diagnosed or treated cancer patients. This data is carefully collected and kept in the registry’s secure and confidential database. Data is used to monitor cancer trends, promote research, increase survival, inform program development and interventions, guide policy planning and respond to cancer concerns.

NDSCR has been recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Program of Cancer Registries for its achievement in meeting their standards for data completeness, timeliness and quality. Meeting these standards allows the NDSCR’s data to be included in the United States Cancer Statistics report.

The NDSCR is a member of the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries [NAACCR] which sets standards for completeness, timeliness and data quality. Registries that meet the highest standards receive NAACCR certification. NDSCR has achieved NAACCR standards and received the Gold Certification since data year 2002.