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The Queensland Cancer Register (QCR) operates under the Public Health Act (PHA) 2005 to receive information of cancer in Queensland. The QCR maintains a register of all cases of cancer diagnosed in Queensland since 1982 (excluding basal and squamous cell carcinomas). The QCR is one of the largest population-based cancer registries in Australia and is a unique data resource bringing the most comprehensive set of cancer data elements together to provide an accurate picture of cancer in Queensland. 

The Cancer Alliance Queensland on behalf of Metro South Hospital and Health Service manages the operation of the Register for the Queensland Department of Health.

Purpose

Information collected by the QCR is used to describe cancer incidence, mortality, projections, prevalence and survival for Queensland. 

Data can be used for the following purposes:

• Monitor the number of new cancer cases and deaths from cancer
• Assist in planning for the care of cancer patients
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of cancer treatment and the outcomes of cancer care
• Provide data for research to determine the cause of cancer and to improve the quality of cancer services
• Contribute to national monitoring of cancer cases and cancer deaths
• Develop programs to educate our community on the risks of cancer

Cancer Notification

Notification of cancer relating to Queensland residents is mandatory for all public and private hospitals, nursing homes and pathology laboratories. 

Cancer notifications must be provided in an approved form 30 days after separation or pathological examination.

See below for Guidelines and Technical Specifications for notifiers to submit cancer notifications:

If your facility provides cancer notifications in hard copy, download and complete the QCR form and send to QCR@health.qld.gov.au

From September 2024 all private facilities are required to submit electronic cancer notifications through the KiteWorks secure file transfer portal. Refer to the KiteWorks facility user guide below.

Public Health Act 2005 Amendments for Cancer Notification

Legislation amendments to Cancer Notification was passed in 2023 under the new Bill  Health and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (the Act)

The commencement date for these amendments is May 2025.

These amendments include three key changes in notification of cancer to the QCR:

1. Extending notification requirements to diagnostic imaging practices
2. Expanding the requirements of existing notifiers to notify;
   • Hospitals – Treatment (Surgery, Radiation Therapy & Chemotherapy)
   • Pathology – genomics, biomarkers, follow up specimen
3. Broaden scope to collect perineural invasion and metastasis for SCC/BCC skin cancer cases

Cancer Alliance Queensland is currently communicating will all stakeholders and is working with all notifiers to ensure compliance with these changes.