Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2006 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation Cancer Registry (CNCR) will celebrate National Cancer Registrars Week from April 3-7 and will mark the week with educational sessions and displays.The theme of National Cancer Registrars Week for 2006 is “Cancer Registrars…Advocates in Action” to commemorate the growing impact cancer registrars are having in responding to the public health challenges presented by cancer.
“This week is designed to recognize the special contributions of cancer registrars to the field of cancer control,” said Kym Cravatt, director of the Cherokee Nation Cancer Programs, which includes the Cherokee Nation Cancer Registry. “Cancer registrars are skilled professionals not only in compiling accurate cancer statistics but also in raising awareness of the public on the importance of cancer surveillance.”
The CNCR was established in September 1997 through a grant from the National Cancer Institute and is the first tribal cancer registry in the U.S. As one of the largest tribes in the country, the Cherokee Nation currently provides researchers with a pool of 100,000 eligible patients through which they can collect cancer data.
The CNCR has collected cancer data since January 1, 1996. Its purpose is to gather information on every case of cancer diagnosed among native Americans within the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county tribal jurisdiction. Complete cancer data is not available for native Americans, primarily because health care providers incorrectly classify their native American patients. As of December 2003, however, the Cherokee Nation’s registry contained more than 2,300 cancer cases.
“It is exciting to be involved with the first native American cancer registry,” said Ann Wheeler, Cherokee Nation cancer registrar. “We have an opportunity to prove that tribes are interested and can do this kind of work.”
Cancer registrars, through their role in collecting detailed cancer data, are now playing a more active role in issues related to cancer surveillance and protection of health information. Quality cancer data is central to the nation’s anti-cancer efforts, and registrars are the first link in capturing data on patients diagnosed with cancer. Registrars are data management experts who research and compile data.
Wheeler suggests working as a registrar is like “being a detective.”
“We have to search through many charts, records and reports often to find just one piece of information. It is very detail-oriented work. Not many people realize how in-depth cancer registration is,” said Wheeler.
The Cherokee Nation’s registry will assist the tribe’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan, funded from 2005 to 2007, meet its goals. Among these goals are to create evidence-based strategies to reduce cancer mortality; to develop, maintain and evaluate programs, resources and interventions to diminish cancer; and to expand our knowledge base in medical, clinical, hospital and community settings to promote prevention, decrease mortality and increase quality of life for all Cherokees.
National statistics show that native Americans have higher mortality rates from some cancers than do other groups, and current statistics show that the rate of cancer among native Americans is increasing. Cancer registrars can help medical professionals make assessments and understand developing patterns of different types of cancers in the field of cancer treatment and research. Registrars are required to stay abreast of new cancer treatment protocols and ongoing clinical studies. They also receive rigorous training in ethics and medical records privacy.
For more information on the Cherokee Nation Cancer Registry or on National Cancer Registrars Week, call Ann Wheeler, Cherokee Nation Cancer Registrar, phone: 918-458-4491.
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
|
Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |