The SEER program, a continuing project of the National Cancer Institute, collects cancer data on a routine basis from designated population-based cancer registries in various areas of the country. Trends in cancer incidence, mortality and patient survival in the United States, as well as many other studies, are derived from this data bank.

Goals of the SEER program are:

> Assembling and reporting, on a periodic basis, estimates of cancer incidence and mortality in the United States

> Monitoring annual cancer incidence trends to identify unusual changes in specific forms of cancer occurring in population subgroups defined by geographic, demographic, and social characteristics

> Providing continuing information on changes over time in the extent of disease at diagnosis, trends in therapy, and associated changes in patient survival

> Promoting studies designed to identify factors amenable to cancer control interventions, such as:

a) Environmental, occupational, socioeconomic, dietary, and health-related exposures

b) Screening practices, early detection, and treatment

c) Determinants of the length and quality of patient survival