We would like to recognize the South Carolina Central Cancer Registry for receiving Gold Certification from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR)! Gold Certification is the highest level of distinction awarded by NAACCR.  Achieving Gold Certification indicates the data submitted by the South Carolina Cancer Registry is complete, accurate and timely including: a 95% or higher case ascertainment completeness rate, 3% or fewer…

The AJCC held a webinar on the AJCC 8th edition recently.  The 8th edition will take affect with cases diagnosed 1/1/18.  The changes are many and are synopsized below.  Careful review of each chapter prior to staging a case in the 8th edition is recommended.  The Eighth Edition is dedicated to all Cancer Registrars. Chapter 1 Staging Rules Expansion of chapter 1 rules Explains the basics…

Mentoring can be defined as simply as: advising someone with less experience. The NCRA provides mentoring services for students working toward their certification in the cancer registry field, newly certified tumor registrars, new department managers, persons looking to complete clinical hours, and anyone who indicates they would like to learn more about the cancer registry in general.  The NCRA developed a mentoring committee which exists to…

During a recent conversation with a new acquaintance I received the common reaction to my answer when asked what do you do for a living?  When I explained to the best of my ability in layman’s term that I am a CTR, her response was Wow, that must be a depressing job!  I explained, as I always do, that I am not a clinician and do…