We would like to take this opportunity to introduce a name change to the CTR credential. The National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) has changed the name of its credential. Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) is the new name for the Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) credential. The updated credential name better aligns with the evolving scope of work of cancer registrars and current professional practice terminology and is representative of the content on the entry-level ODS certification exam. NCRA and the cancer registry community began implementing the change in January 2024 and anticipates it will take at least a year to make the full transition. Please note that any reference to the Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) credential should be understood to be the Oncology Data Specialist (ODS) credential. We capture 250+ data items which are then curated (at the state and national levels) to provide 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.
In recognition of January’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, along with our continued effort to help shine a light on the benefits of cancer registries we will focus on Human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical cancers. HPV has shown a strong correlation to cervical cancer (as well as other gynecological, oropharyngeal, and anal cancers).
At least 90% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV (graph below). Cervical cancer was once the highest cancer-associated cause of death among women until the 1990’s this has been on a decline, partially due to increased screening with pap smears and HPV testing. Detecting cervical cancer early has improved women’s prognosis along with the help of HPV vaccination.
HPV Vaccination use in the USA began in 2006. Rates of new HPV-related cancers have been on a downward trend since 2006, dropping at least 80% for teen girls and young adult women, and about 40% among vaccinated women. HPV-associated cervical cancer deaths have also been on a downward trend.
Since 2021 cancer registries have collected a Site-Specific Data Item (SSDI) for p16 which has correlated in an increased risk for cervical cancer. Testing for p16 is widely available, easy to perform, and highly sensitive. Immunohistochemical staining for p16 is a surrogate marker for HPV and p16 overexpression is strongly linked to HPV infection in cervical cancers.
New histology codes have been introduced starting in 2022 for HPV-associated versus HPV-independent cervical cancer types. These histology codes can be applied to cases diagnosed 1/1/2021 forward. Results of p16 tests can be used to code these HPV specific codes.
Status of p16 and HPV testing is a strong determinate of prognosis for cervical cancer patients. HPV-positive cancers have a better prognosis as they respond better to treatment and have less recurrences or progression compared to HPV-negative cervical cancers.
