CORE--RAPID CASE ASCERTAINMENT

快速确定病例（在诊断后两个月内确定病例）对于成功开展高质量、基于人群的流行病学研究，特别是结合分子生物学和生物标志物的病例对照研究至关重要。在Andrew Olshan博士的指导下，快速病例确定（RCA）核心的目标是通过提供人员快速确定北卡罗来纳州的癌症病例来支持基于人群的流行病学研究。RCA核心与北卡罗来纳州中央癌症登记处和调查人员合作，促进病例识别和数据收集，包括前往主要位于北卡罗来纳州中部和东部农村县的规模较小、人手不足的医院并与之合作。RCA核心还通过协调项目IRB批准和参与HIPAA合规，为研究人员提供咨询和行政协助

Rapid case ascertainment (case identification within two months after diagnosis) is critical to the successful conduct of quality, population-based, epidemiologic studies, particularly case-control studies that incorporate molecular biology and biomarkers. The goal of the Rapid Case Ascertainment (RCA) Core, under the direction of Dr. Andrew Olshan, is to support population-based epidemiology research by providing personnel for the rapid ascertainment of cancer cases in North Carolina. The RCA Core works with the NC Central Cancer Registry and investigators to facilitate case identification and data collection including traveling to and working with smaller, undermanned hospitals, located primarily in rural central and eastern North Carolina counties. The RCA Core also provides consultation and administrative assistance to researchers through the coordination of project IRB approvals and HIPAA compliance at participating hospitals; reports to hospitals and tumor registrars; database development; and activities among project investigators, the NC Central Cancer Registry, and related state committees. This Core Facility makes possible continued quality, cost-effective population-based research in diverse communities. The four current circuit-riding data coordination positions have helped reduce the workload from ongoing studies by providing centralized coordination ascertainment, especially for hospitals in rural and underserved counties. Case-finding takes place for multiple studies during a single trip, providing a high degree of efficiency and cost effectiveness for the studies. In 2003, six peer-reviewed members from two programs used the Core to identify 9,256 new cases new cases of breast, colorectal, prostate, head and neck, and ovarian cancer cases in selected counties for eight studies. UNC Lineberger investigators continue to expand their efforts in population-based studies that rely on rapid case ascertainment. Future plans include the development of a secure website dedicated to RCA in North Carolina. This will be a useful tool to provide valuable information to hospital cancer registrars and investigators for ongoing and upcoming research.