The National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) has released its Strategic Management Plan (SMP): 2025-2029. The plan guides the development of NCRA’s primary activities and programs and ensures leadership, volunteers, and staff are addressing the needs of members and partners. Key to the new SMP is a revised vision statement: Making Oncology Data Matter. This directive highlights the central role registrars play in understanding the nation’s cancer burden and the efficacy of screening initiatives and treatment protocols.  

SMP development was a member-driven process. It began with a 72-question survey sent to over 8,000 members and customers in July 2024. NCRA contracted with Association Research Inc. (ARI), an independent survey research organization, to conduct the quantitative survey, analyze the findings, and prepare a report to guide the development of the new strategic plan. All responses were kept confidential; the report does not reveal information from any individual source. The survey response rate was over 24%. In addition to the survey, interviews were conducted with leaders of 12 organizations with whom NCRA partners on various strategic initiatives. Led by NCRA’s Governance Planning and Evaluation Committee, working groups consisting of 24 former and current NCRA volunteer leaders reviewed the survey results and transcripts of the interviews. Then, during a two-day, facilitator-led meeting in October 2024, many of the volunteers continued to work with NCRA staff and its consultants to finalize the plan. Crucial to development was an in-depth discussion on principles that will impact the future of the cancer registry profession.

NCRA’s new vision and mission statements are below, along with future statements and goals. Read the NCRA SMP 2025-2029 Fact Sheet for more information.