Cancer Registrars Focus on Data

Information that they compile on diagnosis and treatments could help lead to better care. Cancer registrars serve as data management experts, reading hospital patient charts to record thorough summaries of diagnosis and treatment. This information gives state, national and international cancer registries ammunition in the war on cancer that helps lead to better treatments, and ultimately, maybe cures. Cancer diagnosis and treatment involves several procedures, which often are done at numerous locations. The cancer registrar obtains information on treatment provided to a patient at these other medical facilities, as well.

Vital research rests on this compilation, according to the National Cancer Registrars Association, which has more than 4,500 members. Diagnosis trends provide insight to the success of current and potential prevention efforts. In most cases, it's necessary to become credentialed and work for two years as a registered health information technician, said Karen Diver, a cancer registrar at Children's Medical Center Dallas. Afterward, a tech is eligible to take and pass another exam, leading to the designation of certified tumor registrar.

Demand for cancer registrars is tremendous. Many will retire soon, and qualified replacements are needed, said Laurel McDonald, a cancer registrar at Presbyterian Hospital. Ms. McDonald, 57, is one of four full-time registrars at the hospital, which employs three more on an as-needed basis. She entered the cancer registry field in 1997. "I was recently divorced, raising a son by myself, and I was offered a raise to become part of the cancer registry in the hospital where I was working, so I jumped at the chance. I must say it did sound more interesting than what I was doing," said Ms. McDonald, who worked with medical records at a hospital in Fort Worth.

Recently, she obtained the designation of certified tumor registrar. "You are required to know medical terminology, anatomy, registry operations and organization, statistics, staging and coding of cancer, and analysis and interpretation of this information," she said. "You can see why it takes some time to gain the knowledge to pass the accreditation test." Her job brings immense satisfaction. "I enjoy knowing that what I do helps with the fight against this insidious disease," Ms. McDonald said.

For additional information:

The National Cancer Registrars Association, 1340 Braddock Place #203, Alexandria Va 22314, (703) 299-6640 http://www.ncra-usa.org/index.html

Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Cancer Registry Management Program, 1900 28th Avenue South Moorhead, MN 56560 (218) 299-6558 http://www.minnesota.edu/programs_majors/cancer_registry_management/

Source: Dallas Morning News, Susan Kreimer, 11/12/7