Starting in September, UNCLCN will be adding a monthly report from the UNC Medical Center Cancer Registry. Read more about them below!
Did you know that legislation requires reporting cancer data? Do you know who collects that data? Well, we are Certified Tumor Registrars (CTR) and, as stated by the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA), “Cancer registrars are data information specialists that capture a complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status for every cancer patient in the U.S.”
Once this data is collected and reflects the patient’s journey from diagnosis through treatment and lifetime follow-up, that data is sent to the state and to national entities. It is then used to create national reports and statistics on cancer. There are over 250 data points collected by the CTR for each case. The curated data provides essential information to researchers, healthcare providers, and public health officials to better monitor and advance cancer treatments, conduct research, and improve cancer prevention and screening programs.
North Carolina Central Cancer Registry requires the collection of cases dating back to their reference date of 01/01/1990. Creating over 30 years of data for utilization! UNC Medical Center reports to the NC Central Cancer Registry, part of the CDC National Program for Cancer Registries (NPCR) established in 1992. NPCR funded state registries’ data represents 97% of the U.S. population. Together with National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (NCI SEER) program collecting nearly 50% of the U.S. population, we collect 100% of cancers diagnosed in this country. Along with reporting to the NC Central Cancer Registry, UNC Medical Center also reports to the National Cancer Database.
What is unique about UNC Medical Center:
- UNC Medical Center is an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center Program (NCIP) and secures a National Cancer Institute peer-reviewed Cancer Center Support Grant.
- UNC Lineberger is one of only 49 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive Cancer Centers, and the NCI rates us as “exceptional” in its top rating for cancer centers.
- UNC Medical Center has a nationally accredited cancer program by the Commission on Cancer.
- North Carolina Cancer Hospital at UNC Medical Center is the only organization in North Carolina accredited by the Commission on Cancer’s National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC).
Link to the UNC Lineberger CCC/UNC Medical Center Cancer Registry webpage: