This week we celebrate the contributions cancer registrars make to the fight against cancer. Both the CTR credential and the Cancer Registry Association of Arizona turn 30 years old this year and few understand the vital role that registrars play in cancer control. As you celebrate make it a goal to educate at least one more person about the existence and the value of the registry and the work. As I once heard Dr. Dana Weeks say, “Someone has this information and it’s usually a woman and she’s usually in the basement”.
Over the past 30 years survival has increased over a wide range of malignancies due to the efforts of researchers and clinicians and patients participating in clinical trials. We know of these successes because of cancer registrars. We work each day to translate the individual experience of cancer patients into data that can be aggregated and analyzed to serve in the search for better treatments and better outcomes. We sort through manuals, attend webinars, read articles and confer with colleagues, all in an attempt to keep up with the increasingly complex process of diagnosis, treatment and research. A career in the cancer registry isn’t usually flashy or even well recognized but it is challenging, satisfying and important. Thank you for all you do.
I’m excited to welcome you to the revised and updated website for our association.
We’ve updated our look as well as our functionality. While you may still apply for membership via the paper application the website now offers the ability to apply and pay on line. This feature is available during the membership drive period which ends after March 31st, 2013. It will be available again in the fall to register for the annual conference. Melanie Zaleski of St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center has graciously secured the use of the Sonntag Pavilion for October 31st and November 1st. In light of the association celebrating our 30th anniversary the board would like to make this a very special event. Please stay tuned for more details.
I’m also pleased to announce that a facebook page has been established for the Cancer Registry Association of Arizona. Please stop by and say hi as we build both sites. Phoenix Online Media has done a wonderful job revamping our website and the website will be professionally managed by them. While we think we’ve addressed our basic needs, obviously the website is a evolving project. Please let us know if there are any problems with the look or functionality, I’m also looking forward to your suggestions about improving our site and our association.
With cancer becoming the leading cause of death in the United States, research provided by registrars has never been so important.
With fewer than 23,000 deaths separating heart disease and cancer deaths, cancer is poised to become the leading of death in the Unites States, and over 100 forms of cancer have been identified according to the Centers for Disease Control. Although many cancers are fatal, some are associated with higher mortality rates than others.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is to blame for more deaths than any other form of cancer. It is estimated that around 160,000 people succumb to lung and bronchial-related cancers every year in the United States. While lung cancer has the highest mortality rate and is the deadliest type of cancer, it is also the most preventable. Most cases of lung cancer are the result of certain lifestyle choices, particularly smoking cigarettes. Quitting smoking is the most effective way to minimize your risk of lung cancer. New data from the National Lung Cancer Screening Trial indicate that screening for select patients translates into extended survival.
Colorectal Cancer
52,857 Americans died from colorectal cancer in 2008. Most colorectal cancer cases begin with groupings of small, benign cells called polyps, and over time these polyps become cancerous. Screening is the only effective way to check for cancer of the colon and rectum, but many people tend to feel slightly embarrassed and ashamed about having these screening tests conducted, and choose to avoid having them done. As a result, many people who develop colorectal cancer learn that their cancer could have been diagnosed earlier, had they not avoided being screened.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer found in women, but contrary to what many believe, it is not exclusive to women and it can affect both sexes. It is the single most deadly cancer among women, with roughly 35% of the cases in the United States resulting in fatality. Breast cancer is another form of cancer where early detection can mean the difference between life and death. Women of all ages should conduct monthly examinations of their own breasts to check for any lumps or abnormalities, and women over 40 should visit their doctor annually for a mammogram examination.
Pancreatic Cancer
The pancreas is an essential part of the digestive system, and it aids in digestion and regulating metabolism. Cancer of the pancreas is often deadly, because it is extremely difficult to detect in its early stages. Pancreatic cancer does not always produce symptoms and it is a rapidly progressive cancer. Roughly 40,000 people die from pancreatic cancer every year.
Prostate Cancer
Only the males can develop prostate cancer, and it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men. This type of cancer forms in the prostate, the gland that produces seminal fluid. In 2013 it is estimated that 238,590 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 29,720 will die from the disease. The American Cancer Society estimates that 1 out of 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.
Recent studies on cancer cases throughout the state of Arizona suggests that residents experience lower rates of cancer than the national average.
A 2009 study conducted on cancer rates in the state of Arizona analyzed the incidence of diagnosis, prevalence of type and mortality rates for residents suffering from cancer. Overall, the study concluded that Mojave County is the only county with a cancer rate higher than the national average, though the cancer rate in Mojave is falling. Graham, Greenlee, and Gila counties all presented rates similar to the U.S. average, while Apache, La Paz, Arizona, Cochise, Coconino, Maricopa, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, and Yuma counties all presented statistics lower than the country’s average. Many of these counties also showed declining cancer rates.
Melanoma rates among men in Arizona were higher than the U.S. average. Liver cancer among females and thyroid cancers in males were similar to the average, though both show signs of rising. Conversely, liver cancer in males in Arizona was lower than the national average.
A number of cancers in Arizona were similar to the national average and were found to be a stable trend. These included brain cancer in both males and females, esophagus cancer in males and females, kidney and renal pelvis cancer in males and females, and ovarian cancer in females.
Childhood cancer in Arizona was also similar to the national average; however, the study found the incidences of childhood cancer was declining in 2009. Leukemia in females was also in decline, as was female melanoma and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in females.
Other cancers that were lower than the national average and showed signs of continued decline, include bladder cancer in both males and females, breast cancer in females, cervical cancer in females, colorectal cancer in males and females, leukemia in males, lung cancer in males and females, oral cancer in males and females, pancreatic cancer in males, prostate cancer in males, and stomach cancer in males and females.
In comparison to the rest of the country, Arizona met the healthy people objective of 160.6 and had a falling mortality rate for cancer. The United States as a whole did not meet the objective but did observe a falling mortality rate. Only four counties in Arizona failed to meet the objective – Greenlee, Mojave, Gila, and Graham. Greenlee and Graham counties saw a stable trend in their mortality rates while Mojave and Gila have begun to see a decline in their cancer mortality rates, according to the 2009 study.
It’s important for a cancer registrar to record specific information about each patient in effort to aid researchers in more accurately tracking cancer trends.
Cancer registries are an integral part of anti-cancer efforts, as they assist physicians in formulating treatment plans, researchers in creating abstracts, and academics in educating the public about cancer causes, treatment, and prevention methods.
If you are struggling with cancer, your information may be added to a registry to assist in controlling and preventing cancer. While it is entirely natural to worry about what sort of personal information is recorded, none of it is identifying and the information is solely used to aide in creating accurate, timely statistics related to cancer.
Demographic Information
Demographic information collected by a cancer registry includes your age, gender, race and ethnicity, place of birth, and place of residence. This information is helpful for tracking cancer statistics across age, differences in prevalence between males and females, prevalence in different races, and cancer rates in different cities.
Medical History
Your medical history information will include physical findings, screening information, your occupation, and any history you or a family member may have of cancer previously. Medical history is one of the most important elements in cancer registry data, and is highly effective in helping registrars identify and analyze patterns between patients. For example, mesothelioma has been linked specifically to patients who previously worked around asbestos through work performed by cancer registries.
Diagnostic Findings
Diagnostic findings collected include information relative to how you were diagnosed. This includes the type of cancer you have been diagnosed with, the date of your diagnosis, and the results of the procedures that were used to diagnose your cancer. This information helps registrars analyze the prevalence of specific cancer types and pinpoint the best procedures for diagnosing each type specifically.
Cancer Information
Information directly related to your cancer will be collected, including the primary site, cell type, and extent of the disease. This is useful for identifying common primary sites for each type of cancer and when combined with information about the date of diagnosis, analyzing the pace at which each type of cancer progresses.
Cancer Therapy
Regardless of the treatment(s) you undergo for your cancer, data will be collected for the registry, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy. Information about cancer therapy helps registrars identify how effective different treatments are for different types of cancer.
Follow-up Information
As you continue through your cancer treatment into remission, registries still collect data about your progress. This includes updates to your status, updates to your treatment plan, and recurrence, if applicable.
