What’s new for v26?

By Lori Havener, CTR | May 5, 2025

Changes to data collection standards, registry operations, and cancer registry software products impact hospital registrars, central registries, standard setting agencies, and cancer registry software vendors. Timely implementation of these changes is essential to the cancer surveillance community. The Mid-Level Tactical Group (MLTG) is responsible for monitoring the change management process and ensuring timely implementation. All…

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New NAACCR Pediatric Resources Webpage!

By Fernanda Michels | April 28, 2025

NAACCR is excited to introduce a valuable new tool to support pediatric and AYA (Adolescent and Young Adult) Abstracting: the Pediatric Resources Webpage. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to expanding pediatric and AYA cancer resources for registrars, researchers, and the broader cancer surveillance community and follows the development of the Pediatric Data…

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President’s Message

By Wendy Aldinger, RHIA CTR | April 21, 2025

Happy Spring! Hopefully things are warming up and starting to bloom in your area. I love the longer days. The NAACCR Board and Steering Committee Chairs sprung into action during an in-person meeting the beginning of March in Savannah, GA. As part of the meeting, the Chairs shared their Committees’ accomplishments towards meeting the goals…

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The Importance of Professional Certification for Cancer Registrars

By Jim Hofferkamp, BA, CTR | December 8, 2025

Professional certification plays a vital role in strengthening the cancer registry workforce and ensuring the high-quality data that is essential for cancer surveillance, research, and public health planning. For cancer registrars, achieving certification demonstrates a thorough understanding of cancer registry operations, data standards, and coding principles. It reflects an individual’s commitment to excellence and provides…

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NAACCR Education and Training Upcoming Events

By Angela Martin | December 2, 2025

  NAACCR ODS Exam Prep and Review The NAACCR ODS Exam Prep and Review series is offered prior to each exam (Spring, Summer, Fall). The Spring 2026 ODS Exam Prep and Review series registration will open December 5, 2025.  Registration for the series is $260 per participant. For more information and to register for the…

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Are You Ready for the Central Registry HL7 FHIR Implementation Guide?

By Ashley Knealing | November 24, 2025

Prior to official publication of the Central Cancer Registry Reporting HL7 FHIR Implementation Guide, the cancer registry community will have a chance to weigh in during a public comment period. Are YOU ready?  Join NAACCR on December 4, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET for an informational webinar on the Central Cancer Registry Reporting (CCRR) HL7…

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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.