AI Skills for the ODS
Cancer registrars do not need to become data scientists to evaluate AI-enabled registry technology. They do need enough fluency to understand what a system is doing, how well it performs, where ODS judgment remains non-negotiable, and whether the technology improves the cancer-data lifecycle from case identification through actionable use. Frequently I am contacted by students […]
Cancer Registry Defines Next Steps
Cancer registry data is the bridge between clinical reality and operational decisions, because it does not just record events, it makes them actionable. “What happened” becomes “what do we do next” when registrars deliver standardized, decision-grade data fast enough to influence pathways, clinical decisions, and service-line strategy. Automation and workflow optimization is the amplifier: it […]
It’s a Privilege
It has been my honor and privilege to serve as a cancer registrar, speaker, and author for the past 20+ years! Registrars are a unique healthcare professional, highly trained in anatomy and physiology, cancer disease process, and the healthcare delivery process. Not only has clinical and scientific medicine changed dramatically since I first started, but […]
What It Means When a Cancer Registrar Says, “There Is No Room for AI in the Cancer Registry”
Why do cancer registrars say, “There is no room for AI in the cancer registry?” As a cancer registrar who advocates for thoughtful AI automation, I hear this phrase often. In most cases, it is not opposition to innovation. It is a signal of perceived risk without control. AI has been part of registry work […]
Why Saying AI Solutions Can “Do More With Less” Triggers Fear
“Do more with less.” Four words that can instantly trigger alarm for cancer registrars. For many, the phrase activates a stress response rooted in familiar pressures: unrealistic expectations, shrinking timelines, or a perceived loss of control. When a team is already operating at maximum capacity, it can widen the gap between what leadership expects and […]
Beyond Pathology: Building an End-to-End Casefinding Workflow
As cancer registry data management continues to evolve, optimizing casefinding workflows is essential for improving data accuracy while strengthening efficiency and productivity. Pathology is often the first—and primary—casefinding source. Intelligent casefinding and AI-driven extraction from pathology can improve timeliness, reduce errors, and streamline day-to-day work. Pathology reports are well suited to automation because their structured […]
Perspectives on Registry Automation: Firestorm or Reality?
Recent perspectives on the adoption of AI to support cancer registry casefinding, abstraction, and analytics have landed differently across the community. The intensity of the feedback signals something important: a shared commitment to data integrity, accurate patient stories, and the long-term credibility of cancer registry work. To move the conversation forward, it helps to set […]