Code the patient’s race. Race is coded separately from Spanish/Hispanic Origin [190]. All tumors for the same patient should have the same race codes. If the patient is multiracial, code all races using RACE 2 through RACE 5 [161-164]. For coding instructions and race code history see the current
SEER Program Coding and Staging Manual3.
Reference to Census 2000 definitions for ethnicity and race:
http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2000/doc/sf2.pdf (Appendix G).
Because race has a significant association with cancer rates and outcomes, a comparison between areas with different racial distributions may require an analysis of race to interpret the findings. The race codes listed correspond closely to race categories used by the U.S. Census Bureau to allow calculation of race-specific incidence rates. The full coding system should be used to allow accurate national comparison and collaboration, even if the state population does not include many of the race categories.