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Ontario Cancer Registry SEER*Stat Package

The Ontario Cancer Registry SEER*Stat Package contains de-identified Ontario cancer data files derived from the Ontario Cancer Registry, the SEER*Stat software and supporting user documentation. This package allows analysts to produce incidence, mortality, survival and prevalence statistics for studying the impact of cancer on the Ontario population.

Statistics produced by the Ontario Cancer Registry SEER*Stat Package are useful for:

  • understanding health disparities
  • informing cancer prevention and control efforts
  • monitoring progress, for the purpose of reducing the burden of cancer

For more information see Surveillance Program or connect with us by email at OCRSEERStat@ontariohealth.ca.

Data Files

The Ontario cancer data files contain incidence and mortality data for the following levels of geography: Ontario, Census Divisions, Public Health Units (PHUs), and Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs). Here are more details about the most recent release (Release 13, June 2023):

  • The Ontario cancer data files contain incidence and mortality data, from the years 1981 to 2020. 
  • Beginning with 2010 diagnoses, the Ontario Cancer Registry adopted the SEER Multiple Primary and Histology Coding Rules for counting additional primary cancers. As a result, there is an increase in the number of new cases compared to pre-2010 incidence counts. This change in number is due to how cancers are being counted; it does not mean that more people in Ontario are being diagnosed with cancer — see How We Collect Cancer Registry Data for more information. 
  • To align with Statistics Canada’s update of the standard reference population (from 1991 to 2011) for age-standardization, we are offering data users the 2011 Canadian standard population as an option (among others). For more information, see Change to Reference Population.

User Documentation

The following documentation is provided with the Ontario Cancer Registry SEER*Stat Package:

  • User Guide: Data Notes and Description
  • Quick Start Guide: Installation and SEER*Stat Examples with Ontario Cancer Data
  • Important Notes to All Users of Ontario Cancer Registry SEER*Stat Package – Release 13

In addition, frequently asked questions are available for download:

Frequently Asked Questions: Ontario Cancer Registry SEER*Stat Package – Release 13

SEER*Stat Statistical Software

SEER*Stat is a free statistical software created by the National Cancer Institute in the United States. The software allows users to analyze the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data, but can also be used to analyze data from other cancer registries to produce statistics for studying the impact of cancer on a population.

To learn more about the SEER*Stat software, please visit the U.S. National Cancer Institute's SEER*Stat Software website.

The Package is available to requestors in Canada who are employees of public health units, research institutions, government and government agencies for the purpose of health planning, management or research.

To get access to the Ontario Cancer Registry SEER*Stat package, carefully review and complete the Confidentiality Agreement Form for Ontario Cancer Registry SEER*Stat Package – Release 13.

If multiple people apply from an institution:

  • Each person who will use the data must complete and submit a form.
  • There is no limit to the number of users from an institution. 
  • For 2 or more applicants from the same institution, a designate must be assigned from among the applicants to receive the data on the group’s behalf.
  • The designate may represent an unlimited number of applicants from the same institution.    

Once a completed agreement form is submitted, you can expect to hear from Ontario Health within 3 business days with further instructions.

Even if you have received the package before in a previous year, all new and previous users are required to submit a Confidentiality Agreement with each new release of the Ontario Cancer Registry SEER*Stat Package.

News and Updates

  • New in February 2023: The webinar, Using the OCR SEER*Stat Package, hosted by Public Health Ontario, provides an overview and hands-on training for generating statistics using the Package.
  • As of February 2022, we have changed the process for requesting access to the package. A designate may now represent an unlimited number of applicants from the same institution. Please refer to the “Getting Access” tab for more information.
  • User documentation provided with the package addresses the impact of registry changes to cancer staging, coding and case creation standards effective January 1 for diagnosis year 2018. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) for more information.

Current Release

  • Ontario Cancer Registry SEER*Stat Package Release 13 – Years included: 1981-2020

Past Releases

  • Ontario Cancer Registry SEER*Stat Package Release 12 – Years included: 1981-2018
  • CCO SEER*Stat Package Release 11 – Years included: 1981-2016
  • CCO SEER*Stat Package Release 10 – Years included: 1981-2012
  • Cancer Care Ontario – SEER*Stat Release 9 – Years included: 1981-2009
  • Cancer Care Ontario – SEER*Stat Release 8 – Years included: 1981-2007
  • Cancer Care Ontario – SEER*Stat Release 7 – Years included: 1971-2005
  • OCR SEER*Stat Release 6 – Years included: 1964-2004
  • OCR SEER*Stat Release 5 – Years included: 1964-2003
  • OCR SEER*Stat Release 3 – Years included: 1964-2002
  • OCR SEER*Stat Release 2 – Years included: 1964-2000
  • OCR SEER*Stat Release 1 – Years included: 1964-1998