Description

For persons ages 18 and older who have ever been diagnosed with another type of cancer (CNOTHR), CNOTHRAG indicates the age, in years, the person was when their cancer was first diagnosed. CNOTHRRMS indicates whether the cancer is in remission.

CNOTHRAG is part of a series of cancer variables included in MEPS beginning in 2008. From 2013 forward, AHRQ removed the variables indicating age of diagnosis and remission status for each reported cancer from the public file for confidentiality reasons. For related variables and more information about the cancer variables included in MEPS, please see CNBLAD.

Comparability

From 2008 to 2011, specific cancer diagnosis variables with a frequency count less than 4 were removed from the public use file for confidentiality reasons. From 2012 forward, cancer diagnosis variables with a frequency count less than 20 and those considered clinically rare according to the National Institute of Health's list of rare diseases were removed from the public use file. Individuals whose specific cancer diagnosis information was suppressed had their value of CNOTHR recoded to "Mentioned" (2). Because cancers that meet those criteria change from year to year, the kinds of cancers suppressed from the public file and subsequently included in the frequency count of CNOTHR change from year to year.

Universe

Availability

• 2008-2012

Weights

• 2008-2012 : PERWEIGHT

Flags