VPR Year in Review

By Castine Clerkin, MS, CTR | February 10, 2025

The Virtual Pooled Registry (VPR) is primed to start a new year of linkages, but we would be remiss to proceed without taking a moment to highlight progress from the past year. Below is a short list of VPR accomplishments from 2024: Two additional registries are working through the process to join the VPR. A…

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NAACCR Education and Training Upcoming Events

By Angela Martin | January 20, 2025

NAACCR ODS Exam Prep and Review NAACCR hosts an ODS Exam Prep and Review series prior to each exam (Fall, Spring, Summer). The NAACCR Spring 2025 ODS Exam Prep and Review series is open for registration! The first session will begin on January 28, 2025. For more information click here. NAACCR 2024-2025 Monthly Webinar Series …

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President’s Message

By Wendy Aldinger, RHIA CTR | January 13, 2025

Happy New Year! I hope you had a safe and happy holiday season. I also want to congratulate central registries on another successful data submission. Timely, complete and high-quality data ensures every cancer counts. The NAACCR Board and Steering Committees have been working hard on the goals and priorities of the Strategic Plan. The Certification…

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Operations at the Brazilian Populational-Based Cancer Registry, São Paulo City: A Conversation with Fernanda Michels

By Fernanda Michels | September 15, 2025

NAACCR Associate Director, Stephanie Hill, sat down with NAACCR Program Manager for Data Quality and Integration, Dr. Fernanda Michels, to talk about how she became involved in the international cancer registry community and how it’s shaped her work in cancer surveillance. Stephanie Hill: In your role at NAACCR, you do a lot of work with…

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Data Sharing Practices in U.S. Cancer Registry: Results of NAACCR Survey

By Castine Clerkin, MS, CTR | September 8, 2025

In May 2026, NAACCR conducted a survey of U.S. registries to better understand the variation in data release practices. Forty-one registries responded to the survey (76% response rate) and data was analyzed by Betsy Kohler, in her role as consultant to NAACCR. The survey included questions about the primary data release to studies approved by…

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Helping Vendors Help You

By Jim Hofferkamp, BA, CTR | September 1, 2025

Timely implementation of hospital registry software is essential for seamless data transmission and high-quality cancer surveillance. When software delays occur at the hospital level, the effects ripple throughout the cancer surveillance system, creating unnecessary challenges for central registries. Effective collaboration between central registries and hospital software vendors can minimize disruptions and support a stronger data…

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OUR MISSION

Actionable content that unites cancer registries.

The Narrative strives to provide you with information you can use to enhance and strengthen your cancer registry. Look to the Narrative for the latest cancer surveillance news, trends, advances in technology, and latest educational opportunities.

OUR VISION

Make every cancer count.

Cancer affects thousands of people across North America every year. Each cancer case must contribute to our knowledge and understanding so that we may reduce the burden of these diseases. Narrative provides a platform for the cancer surveillance community to collaborate and share data that will improve health outcomes.

CANCER REGISTRY SPOTLIGHT: MICHIGAN

Successful Linkage Between Registry Database and LexisNexis

In our ongoing commitment to enhance the quality and accessibility of data, we are thrilled to announce the successful linkage between our registry database and LexisNexis. This integration represents a significant step forward in streamlining our data processes and expanding our analytical capabilities.