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…

Central Registry User Data Dictionary and Edits Metafile

By Lori Havener, CTR | August 18, 2025

The Mid-Level Tactical Group (MLTG) manages the cancer surveillance change control process to ensure an efficient and timely change management process. There are many steps in this process including monitoring the timing of products released. One of the products is the timely release of central registries’ user-defined data dictionaries and registry-specific edits metafiles. Central registries…

Now Available! CiNA Statistics Update

By Recinda Sherman, PhD, MPH, ODS-C | August 11, 2025

NAACCR is pleased to announce that all CiNA data products have been updated with data from the 2024 Call for Data. CiNA Data Products CiNA*Explorer, our on-line query system, focuses on the most recent five years of data and was updated in June. For a quick overview of how to use the system, please refer…

National Childhood Cancer Registry (NCCR) Spring Feature

By Fernanda Michels | April 27, 2026

The NCCR Spring Feature highlights the SEER*Stat Tools Webinar, promotes an NCI Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) funding opportunity, and presents usage statistics from the NCCR Data Platform. This edition also features upcoming CCDI webinars, the 2026 NAACCR Conference, and the 2026 NCI Data Jamboree. SEER*Stat Tools Webinar From Data to Discovery:…

Looking to the Future: Changes Approved for 2027 NAACCR Data Standards

By Stephanie M. Hill, MPH, CTR, NAACCR | April 13, 2026

As we move into Spring, many cancer registries are preparing to begin 2026 abstracting, but registry standard setters are already looking ahead to 2027 – and beyond! The High-Level Strategic Group (HLSG) voted last month on changes to the NAACCR Data Standards and Data Dictionary (Standards) for use beginning with the 2027 diagnosis year (NAACCR v27). NAACCR…

NAACCR CPR Guidelines to be Incorporated into HL7 LRI Implementation Guide

By Ashley Knealing | April 6, 2026

The NAACCR Cancer Pathology Reporting (CPR) Guidelines – also known as Laboratory Electronic Pathology Reporting Guidelines Volume V – are being incorporated into HL7’s Laboratory Reporting Interface (LRI) Implementation Guide through the May 2026 HL7 ballot process. This effort is led by Sandy Jones (contractor) in collaboration with NAACCR’s CPR workgroup. HL7’s LRI is a…

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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.