South Carolina Cancer Registry Earned CDC Excellence Award
The state program received national recognition for its data collection and reporting standards.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Cancer
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The South Carolina Central Cancer Registry has been awarded the Registry of Excellence designation by the CDC. This honor recognizes the registry for maintaining high standards in tracking cancer incidence and mortality across the state.
Why it matters
High-quality cancer registries provide essential data that researchers and health officials use to monitor trends and improve public health outcomes. Achieving these standards ensures that South Carolina's data remains accurate and reliable for medical studies.
South Carolina is one of 20 states to achieve the CDC Registry of Excellence designation. The state registry has operated for 30 years and also secured its 12th consecutive Gold Standard certification from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.
The players
South Carolina Central Cancer Registry
This state agency collects and analyzes cancer incidence and mortality data to inform public health initiatives.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This federal agency establishes national health standards and provides oversight for state-level disease tracking programs.
North American Association of Central Cancer Registries
This professional organization sets rigorous quality standards for cancer data registries across the continent.
The details
Operating out of Columbia, the South Carolina Central Cancer Registry consistently processes and analyzes cancer incidence data to meet rigorous national quality benchmarks. Staff adherence to established standards for completeness and timeliness secured these dual honors for the agency.
Timeline
The registry achieved the CDC Registry of Excellence designation in 2026.
Health Landscape
This award aligns South Carolina with the data accuracy benchmarks established by the National Program of Cancer Registries. It marks a significant milestone in the evolution of state-level health reporting and the standardization of cancer surveillance.
Reliable data reporting enables better allocation of state health resources and more precise public health programming for cancer prevention. Residents benefit from the assurance that their state health records meet the highest national standards for accuracy and research utility.
The takeaway
Accurate cancer registries are vital infrastructure that support long-term improvements in statewide medical care. Maintaining these high standards ensures that South Carolina remains a leader in identifying and addressing the health needs of its population.
Further reading
For more information on state tracking efforts, visit the Cancer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Item.
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