Who is responsible for maintaining cancer registries?

The responsibility for maintaining cancer registries primarily falls on Certified Tumor Registrars (CTRs). These professionals are specially trained in the collection, management, and analysis of cancer data. They ensure that the information gathered is accurate, complete, and compliant with the established standards and guidelines set forth by national and state cancer registry organizations.

CTRs play a critical role in various aspects of registry management, including coding cancer diagnoses, treatment information, patient follow-ups, and outcomes. They also ensure that the data is submitted to the appropriate state and national databases for public health monitoring and research purposes.

While public health officials may oversee cancer surveillance programs and hospitals provide the data from their institution, the specialized training and certification of CTRs make them the key individuals responsible for the meticulous process of data collection and registry maintenance in the cancer care continuum.