All cases of cancer diagnosed or treated by any health care facility or heath care practitioner in Pennsylvania are required to be reported to the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry (PCR). Reporting cancer cases is required by state law and disease-reporting regulations.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) allows for the reporting of identifiable cancer data to public health entities. Because the PCR falls under the definition of a public health entity, HIPAA allows facilities to report data to the PCR in compliance with Pennsylvania state laws and regulations. Written informed consent from each cancer patient reported to public health entities is not required under HIPAA.
Physician Reporting Questions
Physician office staff with questions on reporting requirements and procedures should contact the PCR at RA-DHPCR@pa.gov