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

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

With his retirement date fast approaching, I asked Gary Levin, long-time director of the Florida Cancer Data System, to reflect on his 35 years in the cancer surveillance field. Gary was a 2025 recipient of the Calum S. Muir Memorial Award in recognition of his leadership and service to NAACCR and for the promotion of…

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

By Fernanda Michels | January 5, 2026

In November 2023, the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) (with support from NAACCR) and the French National Cancer Institute (INCa) co-sponsored the Paris Conference for an International Childhood Cancer Data Partnership. Organized within the framework of the first working group of the G7 Cancer Initiative and supported by the European Commission, the meeting brought together…

An Interview with Our New RDU Chair

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

An Interview with our new Research and Date Use Committee Chair It was so much fun interviewing the RDU Co-Chairs last December that I decided to interview our newest Co-Chair, Angela Eckstrand, this December Angela replaced Jeff Dowden (our resident rock star) from the Newfoundland Cancer Registry when his tenure ended. Yes, this means both…

New Report Released: Cancer Incidence in the Caribbean, Volume I

By Fernanda Michels | May 25, 2026

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is proud to present Cancer Incidence in the Caribbean, Volume I—the first comprehensive regional report compiling population-based cancer incidence data from across the Caribbean. This landmark publication represents a major step forward in strengthening cancer surveillance and advancing evidence-based decision-making in the region. Developed through CARPHA’s IARC Caribbean Cancer…

Launch of Automated Privacy Preserving Record Linkage (PPRL) Methodology for VPR Studies

By Castine Clerkin, MS, CTR | May 18, 2026

On April 2, 2026, the first Virtual Pooled Registry (VPR) Privacy Preserving Record Linkage (PPRL) was initiated between the U.S. Radiologic Technologist Study (USRT) and the 47 VPR registries. For some registries, this linkage was performed automatically by IMS, thereby minimizing the impact on registry resources. The remaining registries performed the PPRL linkage internally. Additional…

NAACCR Education and Training Upcoming Events

By Angela Martin | May 4, 2026

NAACCR ODS Exam Prep and Review Registration is open for the Summer 2026 ODS Exam Prep and Review series. The series begins May 12, 2026. If you or someone you know is eligible to sit for the exam and are looking to prepare, join us for the Summer 2026 ODS Exam Prep and Review series.…

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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.