Skip to main content
Minnesota Department of Health logo
  • Main navigation

    • Home
    • Data, Statistics, and Legislation
    • Diseases and Conditions
    • Health Care Facilities, Providers, and Insurance
    • Healthy Communities, Environment, and Workplaces
    • Individual and Family Health
    • About Us
    • News and Announcements
    • Translated Materials

Main navigation mobile

  • Data, Statistics, and Legislation
  • Diseases and Conditions
  • Health Care Facilities, Providers, and Insurance
  • Healthy Communities, Environment, and Workplaces
  • Individual and Family Health
  • About Us
  • News and Announcements
  • Translated Materials
MDH Logo

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Data, Statistics and Legislation
  3. Minnesota Cancer Reporting System (MCRS)
Topic Menu

Minnesota Cancer Reporting System (MCRS)

  • MCRS Home Page
  • About MCRS
  • Data
  • Reporting Cancer
  • Legislative Authority
  • Technical Notes
  • Contact Us

Related Sites

  • Data, Statistics and Legislation
  • Minnesota Public Health Data Access Portal
  • Cancer Homepage
  • About Cancer

Minnesota Cancer Reporting System (MCRS)

  • MCRS Home Page
  • About MCRS
  • Data
  • Reporting Cancer
  • Legislative Authority
  • Technical Notes
  • Contact Us

Related Sites

  • Data, Statistics and Legislation
  • Minnesota Public Health Data Access Portal
  • Cancer Homepage
  • About Cancer
Contact Info
Minnesota Cancer Reporting System
651-201-5900
877-353-6277 (toll-free)
health.mcrs@state.mn.us

Contact Info

Minnesota Cancer Reporting System
651-201-5900
877-353-6277 (toll-free)
health.mcrs@state.mn.us

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:

  • HIPAA and Cancer FAQ (PDF)
  • HIPAA Privacy Rule and Public Health - Guidance from CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13

Top of Page

Tags
  • cancer reporting system
Last Updated: 10/03/2022

Get email updates


Minnesota Department of Health logo

Privacy Policy
Equal Opportunity
Translated Materials
Feedback Form
About MDH
Minnesota.gov
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linked In
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
Minnesota Department of Health Minnesota Department of health print search share facebook instagram linkedin twitter youtube