LAUSR

Background: Stage at diagnosis is an important prognostic factor for cancer, providing contextual information for interpreting population health indicators such as mortality from cancer and cancer survival. Australian population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) routinely collect information on cancer incidence and mortality. The need for high quality, comprehensive national data on stage at diagnosis to supplement these data are widely recognized in Australia. The collection and dissemination of quality national stage data will enhance the:• ability to better monitor cancer outcomes, inform cancer control policy;• understand variations across different populations; and• identify where further research and targeted strategies may be required to improve cancer outcomes.Linking data on cancer stage at diagnosis with other administrative cancer data will also allow for a better understanding of the relationship between stage at diagnosis, treatments received, patterns of cancer recurrence, and survival outcome...