Cancer registrars collect and maintain the information used in cancer registries.
A cancer registry is a system that collects and manages data about people
who have cancer.
Cancer registrars collect information from medical records, clinics, physicians'
offices, health-care facilities and Internet resources. They track information
over a patient's lifetime.
Cancer registrars enter coded data in their records. For example, 01 is
the code for a male patient and 02 is the code for a female. There are too
many codes to remember, so they refer to code manuals for help. "It is very
complicated. It truly is!" says Linda Mulvihill. She is a board member for
the National Cancer Registrar's Association (NCRA). "But it is easy to make
coded data electronic. "
Electronic records are becoming more common. Electronic records are records
stored in computer files and computer databases. In some locations, cancer
registrars still use paper records.
What is the purpose of a cancer registry? Cancer registries help us understand
cancer as it relates to race, gender, age and geographic location. It shows
how many cancer cases occur in a one area compared to another area. It shows
the survival rates for persons with various stages of cancer.
The data helps us understand which treatments have the best outcome. It
shows us when early intervention programs are working and when they are not.
It also reminds doctors and patients when examinations are due.
The information is very important in helping us understand the best ways
to prevent and treat cancer patients. For example, years ago patients with
breast cancer usually had surgical procedures called radical mastectomies.
Today, most breast cancer patients have smaller, simpler surgical procedures
called lumpectomies. "That was based on registry data showing the lumpectomies
had the same outcome," said Mulvihill. "We feel proud!"
Cancer registrars also work for drug companies or for researchers. The
type of work cancer registrars do is valuable in supporting screening trials,
"There is a lot of opportunity for self-employment or contracting, "says
Steven Peace. Peace works for a research organization in Maryland. "There
is opportunity to provide data collection and abstracting support services."
Persons with a physical disability could do this work. "Definitely!" comments
Mulvihill. "It is a sedentary type of work."
Both men and women work in this field, although Mulvilhill estimates that
95 percent of cancer registrars are women.
Keeping up with medical advances and medical technology is very important.
Cancer registrars constantly learn new things. They might attend conferences,
take continuing education courses in classes or through distance education,
read journals, or research websites.
In some cases, hospitals with cancer programs might employ only one cancer
registrar. He or she must work independently.