What is a Cancer Registrar?

Do you know what a cancer registrar is? Chances are that you do not because cancer registrars represent a very small niche market in oncology healthcare and are usually found working behind-the-scenes.

Cancer registration in the United States has been around since the early 1900�s. In 1971 under the Nixon Administration the National Cancer Act was passed making cancer a reportable disease in the United States. What has evolved since that time is a very sophisticated system for collecting, coding and classifying cancer-related data used by healthcare professionals and researchers today.

The process of collecting and reporting cancer information usually begins at the point of care. Cancer Registrars are trained in the practice of coding and classifying cancer information and can be found in hospitals, clinics, surgery centers, and other similar organizations.

As the patient enters the healthcare system and diagnosed with cancer, the cancer registrar begins collecting the information into a confidential case record. The data is derived from review of the written record, assigned the correct codes and classifications as required and manually entered into the cancer registry database. Most case records are completed after the patient completes their first course of treatment which may include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other forms of cancer treatments. Cancer registrars are charged with maintaining contact with the patient at least once each year for the duration of their life. As contact is made, the case record is updated.

Cancer registries report the results of their data collection efforts to the state cancer registries who subsequently report each year to the federal agencies. Data from the local, regional, state and federal levels may be combined for study by physicians, administrators and researchers. Typically all patient identifiers are removed before analyses begin to ensure patient privacy and confidentiality.

Cancer registrars are highly specialized and trained in areas of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, the histology of cancer as it relates to the disease process, cancer treatment methods, data analysis and outcomes measurements, quality control, statistics and epidemiology. Cancer registrars may be certified (i.e., Certified Tumor Registrar or CTR) by the National Cancer Registrar�s Association (NCRA) after they have worked in the registry for a year or more and have completed a formal education program and a minimum of an A.S. degree in an approved allied health field of study.

As a vital member of the oncology healthcare team cancer registrars work closely with physicians, nurses, administrators and other healthcare professionals. Data from the cancer registry is utilized to study outcomes, determine new treatment methods and to develop patient education and cancer control and prevention programs such as smoking cessation, colorectal, prostate, and skin cancer screening clinics and more.

The cancer registry workforce is declining as a result of Baby Boomer retirement, attrition and new mandates to cancer reporting requirements. Individuals who desire a job in healthcare that are analytical, detail-driven, self-motivated, and committed to serving others should consider this rewarding profession.

Service providers such as CancerRegistryTraining.com, the National Cancer Registrar�s Association and community colleges offer accredited training programs required to gain entry into the field. Detailed information is not always available to job seekers on how to get started and they should seek assistance from a mentor to guide them through training and entry into the workforce.

While cancer registrars serve behind-the-scenes, the critical role they play in cancer registration is very important. Cancer registrars will serve our communities for years to come and the data they collect will be used to develop new cancer treatments, improve patient�s quality of life and, ultimately, find a cure for cancer.

Michele Webb is a nationally recognized Certified Tumor Registrar who enjoys helping coach others to a successful career. She also provides educational programs for cancer registrars already working in the field. She recently published an �Online Training Guide for Cancer Registrars� which you can request for free at her website, http://www.CancerRegistryTraining.com.