Surveillance and Evaluation Unit
For more information relating to cancer surveillance, please go to: Cancer Surveillance Information Resources for Marylanders
For data and reports, please go to: Maryland DHMH Cancer-Related Surveillance and Data Reports
Introduction
The Surveillance and Evaluation Unit of the Center for Cancer Surveillance and Control has been created as a result of the tobacco settlement under the Cancer Prevention, Education, Screening and Treatment Program of Cigarette Restitution Fund (CRF) Program. The purpose of the Surveillance and Evaluation Unit is to:
- Collect analyze, and monitor data relating to targeted cancers, non-targeted cancers as determined by the Department, and cancer prevention, education, screening, and treatment programs in the State;
- Measure and evaluate screening and treatment programs in the State;
- Conduct a baseline cancer study (done August 2000); and
- Conduct a bi-annual cancer study.
Surveillance Activities
Publication of the CRF Cancer Report
The report for each year that it was published is posted on the Internet for viewing and downloading at: http://fha.maryland.gov/cancer/surv_data-reports.cfm
Implementation of Maryland Cancer Surveys
The focus is on risk behaviors, cancer screening, and other related behaviors among adults age 40 years and older and other subgroups such as the Hispanic/Latino population in Montgomery County and adults age 40 and older in Baltimore City.
Analysis of Databases for Surveillance and Evaluation Purposes
Data is obtained from various databases such as hospital discharge data, endoscopy units, Medicaid, to identify trends in cancer screening. These include data from the Maryland Cancer Registry, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Study, Vital Statistics, Maryland Health Care Commission.
Maintenance of the Cancer Surveillance Advisory Committee
The Surveillance Advisory Committee has been established to assist the unit with epidemiological output issues and to provide guidance on surveillance and evaluation issues.
For more information regarding Cancer-related Surveillance activities, go to: http://fha.maryland.gov/cancer/surv_org.cfm.
Evaluation Activities
Development of a Cancer Client Database (CDB)
This client database is intended to capture information about screening, diagnosis, and treatment of targeted cancers among eligible persons as determined by each local CRF-CPEST program. The confidential database is available for local programs via the DHMH Intranet.
Development of a Cancer Education Database (EDB)
An Education Database was created to capture information relating to outreach, education, publications as performed and developed by local CRF-CPEST programs. The recently rebuilt database is now on-line on the Internet so that local program staff can enter data, analyze data, and run reports.
Perform Quality Assurance Activities
Staff perform quality assurance reviews of the CDB and the EDB. These reviews involve a review of the data for accuracy, consistency, and case management and are conducted at the time of site visits to the local programs.
Provision of Technical Support to Local Programs
Surveillance staff respond to inquiries relating to the client and education databases, requests for information and data.
Contact the Surveillance and Evaluation Unit
For additional information about Cancer for Cancer Surveillance and Control, Surveillance and Evaluation Unit, call 410-767-0791.