Code for the country in which the patient was born. If the patient has multiple tumors, all records should contain the same code. This data item became part of the NAACCR transmission record effective with Volume II, Version 13 in order to include country and state for each geographic item and to use interoperable codes. It supplements the item BIRTHPLACE--STATE [252]. These two data items are intended to replace the use of BIRTHPLACE [250].

Place of Birth is helpful for patient matching and can be used when reviewing race and ethnicity. It is an important item in algorithms for imputing race and ethnicity. In addition, adding birthplace data to race and ethnicity allows for a more specific definition of the population being reported. Careful descriptions of ancestry, birthplace, and immigration history of populations studied are needed to make the basis for classification into ethnic groups clear. Birthplace has been associated with variation in genetic, socioeconomic, cultural, and nutritional characteristics that affect patterns of disease. A better understanding of the differences within racial and ethnic categories also can help states develop effective, culturally-sensitive public health prevention programs to decrease the prevalence of high-risk behaviors and increase the use of preventive services.

See Appendix B for numeric and alphabetic lists of places and codes (also see Appendix B of the SEER Program Code Manual at seer.cancer.gov/tools/codingmanuals/index.html).