Research Data
Providing customized incidence datasets and data linkages for research related to cancer etiology, prevention, and control is one of the critical functions of the Texas Cancer Registry (TCR). The TCR can provide these services to researchers under strict guidelines.
Protecting patient confidentiality is paramount to the TCR and is required by state law and rules (Health and Safety Code, Section 82.009; Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 91, Subchapter A). Data requests for personal identifiers (e.g., name, date of birth, address) or information on geographic areas below the county level (e.g., ZIP code, census tract) must be approved by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Institutional Review Board (IRB) or the department's designated IRB before TCR can release the data.
Data Requests Requiring DSHS IRB and RESC Review and Approval
Before submitting a request for a customized incidence dataset, patient contact listing, or data linkage, please review the following:
- TCR Confidential Data Request Form
- TCR Data Dictionary
- Data Linkages
- Patient Contact Studies
- Public Health Regions (PHR) Used by TCR
- Confidential Data Request and DSHS IRB Approval Process (be sure to review instructions)
To request confidential data through the DSHS IRB, fill out specified sections of the TCR Confidential Data Request Form and email it to CancerData@dshs.texas.gov.
Once the request is reviewed, TCR staff will provide instructions for completing the following forms that are relevant to your request:
- Attachment 1 Linkage Study
- Attachment 2: Patient Contact Study
- Attachment 3: Student Project
- TCR International Data Release Addendum
- Certificate of TCR Data Destruction
- DSHS Institutional Review Board Forms (via DSHS IRB webpage)
TCR requests that any person or organization reporting results or analyses using cancer data provided by the TCR include the Requested Citation/Acknowledgement of TCR Data Use in their report, presentation, or publication.
If you have any questions, contact the TCR Epidemiology Group via email at CancerData@dshs.texas.gov or call 512-776-3080.