If you’ve ever wondered, “What causes cancer?” or “Who’s most likely to get cancer?” Cancer registries help answer these important questions.
 

What’s a cancer registry?

A Cancer Registry is an information system designed for the collection, management and analysis of data on persons with the diagnosis of cancer. The registries provide essential information to healthcare providers and health officials to better monitor and improve cancer treatment, conduct research and target cancer prevention and screening programs.

The Cancer Registry at Community Medical Centers was established in 1964 to help monitor trends and outcomes of cancer incidence in our community.
 

Why is a cancer registry needed?

Maintaining a cancer registry helps health officials have accurate and timely information while ensuring the availability of data for treatment, research and educational purposes. Quality cancer data is central to the nation’s fight against cancer, and cancer registrars are the first link in capturing that data.

The registry provides members of the hospital medical staff with data which enables them to evaluate diagnostic and treatment approaches, analyze quality of care, study survival rates, and ultimately improve the overall care provided by Community Medical Centers.
 

What kind of information is gathered?

A wide range of demographic and medical information on each patient seen at Community Medical Centers is maintained. Confidentiality of patient identifying information and related medical data is strictly maintained at each cancer registry. Aggregate data are analyzed and published without any patient identifiers.
 

Who are cancer registrars?

Cancer registrars are professional data information specialists who capture a complete history diagnosis, treatment and health status for every cancer patient in the U.S. Registrars works closely with physicians, administrators, researchers, and healthcare planners to provide support for cancer program development, and ensure compliance of reporting standards.

Community has five certified cancer registrars and one office assistant who are responsible for the collection and management of accurate and timely cancer patient information.
 

What’s done with the information?

Information taken by the cancer registrar is used to:

• Evaluate patient outcomes of life

• Satisfaction issues and implementation of procedures for improvement in the care of cancer patients

• Provide follow up information for cancer surveillance

• Evaluate efficacy of treatment modalities

• Report cancer incidence as required under state law

• Develop educational programs for the health care facility, the community, region and state