The expansion of the program follows a “critical demand” for oncology data specialists as cancer cases have reached a record high across the U.S., according to a news release.
What’s happening?
Cancer registrars, which are data specialists who document the full history, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of U.S. cancer patients, are in high demand, the news release notes.
The expansion will help registrars track data and is a result of the National Cancer Registrars Association’s, or NCRA, request that the college expand its access to the curriculum.
“Oncology data specialists fight cancer with data,” Carla Ruffins, San Jacinto College’s program director for health information management and cancer data management, said in the news release. “We're proud to expand our program nationally to prepare more students for this meaningful career path.”
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, shows cancer cases are steadily increasing. The latest data the CDC has documented for cancer cases is from 2021.
San Jacinto College's cancer data management program stands as the state’s only NCRA-accredited program and was the first in the nation to receive this distinction. The program maintains a pass rate above the national certification exam average, according to the news release.
“The San Jacinto program has always been an NCRA favorite, being the first NCRA-accredited [clinical data management] program,” Mary Maul, NCRA manager of education programs, said in the news release.
