Standardization and Registry Development Steering Committee: Modular Records Task Force

By Lori Havener, CTR | July 7, 2025

One of the NAACCR Board strategic initiatives in the Strategic Plan is Innovative Approaches to Data Collection (Minimal Datasets and Partial Records). The objective is to monitor national activities involving rapid reporting and partial record reporting to provide guidance on the operational implications of such developments for central cancer registries. This objective falls under the…

Secondary data sharing: What is it, why is it important, and how is NAACCR involved?

By Castine Clerkin, MS, CTR | June 30, 2025

Secondary data sharing (SDS) occurs when a primary researcher shares data with a secondary researcher to advance science. Sometimes the shared data may contain information obtained from the cancer registry (e.g., through approved linkage requests). The NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy, published in 2003 and updated in 2023, requires that NIH-funded studies participate in…

Reflections on the 2025 Annual Conference

By Karen Knight | June 23, 2025

Karen Knight, Executive Director of NAACCR, shares her reflections from the conference, with a call to leadership and working together during uncertain times. Having returned home from the 2025 Annual Conference in Hartford, CT, my heart is full of gratitude for this amazing community and my mind is full of new ideas, challenges and opportunities.…

CONCORD*Explorer is now available! Access and Download Global Childhood Cancer Survival Estimates

By Fernanda Michels | February 23, 2026

We are delighted to let you know that CONCORD*Explorer is now live on the NCI website! This is a new collaboration between the Cancer Survival Group in London, the SEER program at the National Cancer Institute, with support from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) and Information Management Services, Inc. (IMS). CONCORD*Explorer…

NAACCR Education and Training Upcoming Events

By Angela Martin | February 16, 2026

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 has started but you can still register. The series is $260 per participant. For more information and to register for the Spring session…

Jumping on the Social Media Bandwagon; Strategic Planning and Alliances Steering Committee Social Media Campaign

By Monique Hernandez, PhD | February 9, 2026

Social media has become a central, if not a primary vehicle for public health communication and campaigns. It helps with reaching a broader audience, promoting health literacy, countering misinformation through posting evidence-based content, and raising awareness about specific health issues, risks, and solutions. Over 80% of U.S. State Departments of Health now have a social…

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Benefits of Metafile Testing for Central Registries

By Elaine Collins | February 2, 2026

Testing new metafiles is a great opportunity for central registries to participate in the edit process. For standard metafiles, you…

By Fernanda Michels | January 26, 2026

NCCR Winter Feature

By Stephanie M. Hill, MPH, CTR, NAACCR | January 12, 2026

FCDS Director, Gary Levin, Reflects on 35 Years in Cancer Surveillance

By Fernanda Michels | January 5, 2026

Advancing Global Collaboration in Childhood Cancer Research: Data Resource Mapping and Federated Network Matrix

By Recinda Sherman, PhD, MPH, ODS-C | December 29, 2025

An Interview with Our New RDU Chair

By Elaine Collins | December 22, 2025

Writing Edits – An Approach for a New Central Registry Edit Writer

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.

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CONCORD*Explorer is now available! Access and Download Global Childhood Cancer Survival Estimates

By Fernanda Michels | February 23, 2026

We are delighted to let you know that CONCORD*Explorer is now live on the NCI website! This is a new…

By Elaine Collins | February 2, 2026

Benefits of Metafile Testing for Central Registries

By Fernanda Michels | January 5, 2026

Advancing Global Collaboration in Childhood Cancer Research: Data Resource Mapping and Federated Network Matrix

By Recinda Sherman, PhD, MPH, ODS-C | December 29, 2025

An Interview with Our New RDU Chair

By Fernanda Michels | December 15, 2025

Sharing NAACCR Pediatric Cancer Initiatives on Dr. Rick Greene’s Cancer Registry World Podcast

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

The Importance of Professional Certification for Cancer Registrars

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.

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Jumping on the Social Media Bandwagon; Strategic Planning and Alliances Steering Committee Social Media Campaign

By Monique Hernandez, PhD | February 9, 2026

Social media has become a central, if not a primary vehicle for public health communication and campaigns. It helps with…

By Elaine Collins | February 2, 2026

Benefits of Metafile Testing for Central Registries

By Stephanie M. Hill, MPH, CTR, NAACCR | January 12, 2026

FCDS Director, Gary Levin, Reflects on 35 Years in Cancer Surveillance

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

The Importance of Professional Certification for Cancer Registrars

By Lucinda Ham, RHIA, ODS-C | October 20, 2025

Nominations Opening Soon for the 2026-2027 Board of Directors

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

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