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…

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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…

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NCCR Feature: Highlights of the 2025 NAACCR Annual Conference

By Fernanda Michels | August 11, 2025

The 2025 NAACCR Annual Conference was held in Hartford, CT from June 3-5, 2025. Our theme for this year was, “Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future” as we celebrated the Connecticut Tumor Registry’s 90th anniversary. Two hundred and eighty-eight people attended the conference, and of those, 53 were attending a NAACCR Conference for the first…

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

By Fernanda Michels | December 15, 2025

I am excited to share that I was recently interviewed by Dr. Rick Greene for his Cancer Registry World podcast. It was a great opportunity to share my path into cancer surveillance and to highlight the pediatric work we are advancing through NAACCR. In the episode, I discussed several initiatives within the National Childhood Cancer…

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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…

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

Privacy Preserving Record Linkage (PPRL): Coming Soon to the Virtual Pooled Registry

By Fernanda Michels | November 3, 2025

NCCR Fall Feature

By Carol Kruchko | October 27, 2025

CBTRUS and Cancer Registries: 35 Years of Collaboration

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

Nominations Opening Soon for the 2026-2027 Board of Directors

By Fernanda Michels | October 13, 2025

New Study Highlights Enrollment Disparities in Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Trials Using NCCR Data

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

By Fernanda Michels | December 15, 2025

I am excited to share that I was recently interviewed by Dr. Rick Greene for his Cancer Registry World podcast.…

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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 Fernanda Michels | October 13, 2025

New Study Highlights Enrollment Disparities in Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Trials Using NCCR Data

By Fernanda Michels | September 29, 2025

NAACCR Initiatives Supporting Pediatric and AYA Cancer Research

By Fernanda Michels | September 15, 2025

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

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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Member News

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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…

Read More >
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

Helping Vendors Help You

By Matthew Mayfield, MS, ODS | August 4, 2025

A Practical Guide for Central Registries Updating to a V25B Metafile

By Angela Martin | July 21, 2025

NAACCR Education and Training Upcoming Events

By Lori Havener, CTR | July 7, 2025

Standardization and Registry Development Steering Committee: Modular Records Task Force