National Cancer Registrars Week

Cancer registrars throughout the world will join their colleagues, fellow medical professionals and community leaders to observe the 30th annual National Cancer Registrars Week (NCRW), April 6-10. The purpose of NCRW is to emphasize the important role cancer registrars play in capturing the data that informs cancer research, prevention, and treatment programs.

The theme for 2026 is “Registry Rockstars,” which speaks to the levels of excellence and ingenuity that cancer registry professionals bring to the fight against cancer.

The UT Health San Antonio cancer registry staff includes Tumor Registry Supervisor Julissa Sanchez, ODS-C, and the following cancer registrars: 

• Rose Cantu
• Patty Gray, ODS-C
• Kerste Paredes, ODS-C
• Bonnie Valdez, ODS-C

The tumor registry support staff includes:

• Maricela Garcia Aguirre
• JoAnn Betancourt
• Naga Rapaka

What is 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 a malignant or neoplastic disease (cancer). Cancer registries are classified into three types:

• Hospital registries maintain data on all patients diagnosed and/or treated for cancer at their facility. Healthcare facilities report cancer cases to the central or state cancer registry as required by law.
• Central registries are population-based registries that maintain data on all cancer patients within certain geographical areas.
• Special purpose registries maintain data on a particular type of cancer, such as brain tumors.

Why maintain a cancer registry? What information is maintained in the cancer registry? 

Cancer registries maintain a wide range of demographic and medical information including:

• Demographic information: age, gender, race/ethnicity, birthplace, and residence.
• Medical history: physical findings, screening information, occupation and any history of a previous cancer.
• Diagnostic findings: tests, dates and results of procedures used to diagnose cancer.
• Cancer information: primary site, cell type and extent of disease.
• Cancer treatment: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone or immunotherapy.
• Follow-up: annual information about treatment, recurrence and patient status.

How is cancer registry data used?

Healthcare providers, public health officials and researchers use the data to:  

• Calculate cancer incidence.
• Evaluate efficacy of treatment modalities.
• Determine survival rates.
• Develop targeted educational and screening programs.
• Conduct research on the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

How do cancer registries ensure confidentiality?

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.