Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

How do I obtain a copy of my (or my family member’s) record from the Cancer Data Registry of Idaho?
You will need to complete the Patient Request Form and return it to CDRI, 373 W. Fort St, Boise, ID 83702. (If you want to email the form, please contact us for special instructions – please do not send this to us via regular email). We have also created a Record Request Checklist to help ensure you include all required information in your request. Be advised that your record may not be in our database for up to a year following diagnosis
What information is contained in the cancer registry?
CDRI maintains information on each case of cancer diagnosed or treated in Idaho. This includes patient demographics, cancer type, diagnosis information, treatment, and staging.
How does a cancer case get reported to CDRI?
Most cases are reported by hospitals, but pathology laboratories, treatment centers, and individual clinicians also report to CDRI.
Is the information CDRI collects kept confidential?
Absolutely. Confidentiality of this information is required by Idaho Statute. Identifying information is not included in any CDRI reports. Occasionally – with special approval from an Institutional Review Board – data may be released for legitimate cancer research. This might include permission to contact the cancer patient to ask about participating in a research study.
Why do we need central cancer registries?
A central cancer registry is useful for many purposes: tracking cancer trends in the state, research, resource planning, policy, and for citizens who are interested in cancer rates in specific areas or specific communities in the state.
Must hospitals and health care providers obtain patient permission to provide health information about a cancer patient to CDRI?
No. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, public health reporting under the authority of state law is specifically exempted from HIPAA rules.
How do I request data from Cancer Data Registry of Idaho?
First visit the Statistical Data and Reports section of our website. If you cannot find what you are looking for there, send an inquiry to our epidemiology team at Email

For data requests related to research projects, please complete and submit the Application for Data Requests . (this phrase would hyperlink to the packet)