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Advancing Cancer Treatment with Data: Cancer Registrar Dana Carey
Behind each cancer patient in the U.S. is a cancer registrar who painstakingly gathers and enters the patient’s history, diagnosis, treatment and health status.
The curated data provide essential information to researchers, healthcare providers and public health officials to monitor and advance cancer treatments, conduct research, and improve cancer prevention and screening programs, according to the National Cancer Registrars Association.
“I know that the more accurate the data, the better the results,” says Dana Carey, a cancer registrar for radiation oncology patients at many hospitals across Sentara. “I love our cancer registry team! The team coordinators and each person on this team work together to gather all the information necessary to not only meet but exceed standards.”
That data details the entire history of each cancer patient, from diagnosis to treatment. It notes surgery, radiation, hormones, chemo and staging of cancer, Dana explains. Then, each year, cancer registrars update the info for each patient, including survival data or recurrence.
Dana’s grandmother’s experience planted the seed for a healthcare career for Dana, who has worked for Sentara since 1999, starting as a mammography tech.
“My grandmother had cancer when I was young,” says Dana, who moved to Virginia Beach from San Diego with her husband, who was in the Navy. “Seeing how well she was cared for made me want to be part of such a team.”
Recently, Dana was able to expand her role. During the COVID surge, Dana volunteered to work at SVBGH. She brought those on the floor homemade desserts and sub sandwiches from Harris Teeter.
“Three West step down was amazing,” Dana recalls. “I saw them work together and help each other out time after time. And the care coordination team taught me so much about what they do. They help patients have a smooth transition from inpatient to home or other facilities.”
Dana’s supervisor, Rhonda Despinis, a cancer registry team coordinator at Sentara CarePlex Hospital, says Dana is an invaluable member of her team.
“She worked 16 to 20 hours a week over her 40 hours that she worked for the registry,” Rhonda notes. “She always volunteers to help her co-workers when they need it.”
While many cancer registrars work from home, they still build a team bond, Dana says. For Christmas, a group of registrars purchased gifts for a family in need and took time to meet with the family.
When she’s not working or volunteering, Dana enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family, dog, Bella, and friends. She also enjoys Red Wing Park, especially when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, and walking trails at First Landing.
I love our cancer registry team! The team coordinators and each person on this team work together to gather all the information necessary to not only meet but exceed standards.”
Advancing Cancer Treatment with Data: Cancer Registrar Dana Carey
Behind each cancer patient in the U.S. is a cancer registrar who painstakingly gathers and enters the patient’s history, diagnosis, treatment and health status.
The curated data provide essential information to researchers, healthcare providers and public health officials to monitor and advance cancer treatments, conduct research, and improve cancer prevention and screening programs, according to the National Cancer Registrars Association.
“I know that the more accurate the data, the better the results,” says Dana Carey, a cancer registrar for radiation oncology patients at many hospitals across Sentara. “I love our cancer registry team! The team coordinators and each person on this team work together to gather all the information necessary to not only meet but exceed standards.”
That data details the entire history of each cancer patient, from diagnosis to treatment. It notes surgery, radiation, hormones, chemo and staging of cancer, Dana explains. Then, each year, cancer registrars update the info for each patient, including survival data or recurrence.
Dana’s grandmother’s experience planted the seed for a healthcare career for Dana, who has worked for Sentara since 1999, starting as a mammography tech.
“My grandmother had cancer when I was young,” says Dana, who moved to Virginia Beach from San Diego with her husband, who was in the Navy. “Seeing how well she was cared for made me want to be part of such a team.”
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