GATRA Connection

The Newsletter of the Georgia Tumor Registrars Association

GATRAWEB.ORG SPRING 2008 INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Letter from the 1 Kevin Ward, CTR, GATRA President President

GATRA’S New 2 intense energy to learn as much organization need to look for new “Volunteers On Call” as possible about these tiny ways to reach out to one another Project cells gone out of control and the and share our individualized ex- myriad of treatments available pertise. We all have knowledge GATRA in Solid 3 to help cure the body of their that could help someone else. Financial Shape deleterious effects. While we The challenging part is to identify as cancer registrars have an how to share that knowledge with A Trip to 4 honest, well-intentioned desire others and keep our members up- Washington, D.C. to help our respective organiza- to-date with all that is going on in tions be the leaders in the in- our ever changing field of work I’m Changing My 5 dustry, we will all acknowledge (regular small group meetings, Title The world we live in is an ex- a vested interest in the well- scheduled web seminars, a GA- tremely competitive one, like it being of each and every cancer TRA chat room, a web page on Lymphoma 5 or not. Everyone wants to be at patient that comes through the the GATRA site for sharing docu- Coding the top and many are willing to door. They are why we are in ments and important work related do whatever it takes to get this business. We are here to cancer coding updates, a mentor- 2008 GATRA 6 there. Health care in the United help make a difference in their ship program, etc). I encourage Executive Board States is one of the largest sec- lives and the lives of their loved each of you to think about these tors of the economy and compe- ones. In that regard, we should ideas, along with others you Governor’s 7 tition is intense within this sec- also try to help our fellow regis- might have, and share them with Proclamation tor. Health care costs are on the trars whose intentions are in me if you will. We can do more rise due to a variety of factors accord. to help our fellow registrars and The Inquiring 9 including but not limited to: a that is clearly part of GATRA’s Mind growing number of uninsured GATRA is an organization with mission. individuals; an aging popula- a common goal of promoting Triple Negative 10- tion; increased medical mal- the development of individuals Thank you for affording me the Tumors And Breast 11 practice insurance; new techno- within the cancer registry pro- opportunity to serve as the Presi- Disparities logical innovations for treating fession. We are lead by volun- dent of GATRA in 2008, and I a variety of diseases; new medi- teers and have a diverse mem- assure you that I do not take this Featured Members 12 cations and higher cost pre- bership in terms of on the job responsibility lightly. It is a privi- scriptions; government regula- experience. Some of our mem- lege to work among such a won- GATRA News 13- tion; and insurance industry bers work alone in their cancer derful, impassioned group of peo- 14 reimbursement policies. With registries while others work in ple, and I look forward to what Humor Corner 15 rising costs comes increased settings where mentorship is this year holds for our organiza- competition among hospitals readily available. Due to con- tion. My ear is always open to Educational 16 for the recipient of their ser- stant changes in cancer care suggestions that you might have Opportunity vices: the patient. diagnosis and treatment, we are for GATRA (404-727-8455). plagued with continual updates Thank you and enjoy this issue of Call for Articles 16 The diagnosis of cancer comes to the rules for cancer data col- the Connection! with an undeniable uncertainty lection. For new registrars to about what the future has to the field and for those registrars --Kevin Ward, 2008 GATRA hold. It evokes a retrospective who are entrusted to tackle this President review of one’s life leading up job alone, this can be an over- to the diagnosis followed by an whelming burden. We as an PAGE 2 GATRA’s New “Volunteers on Call” Project

Joy Thompson, CTR fore the Fall Conference, as- right to turn down any project GATRA Immediate Past sisting speakers at conferences any time. President with copies or other needs, helping coordinate a GATRA We hope that this will help open state basket for the NCRA the door so that more GATRA Anyone who has ever tried to plan meeting, creating workbooks members can get involved in the a meeting, put out a newsletter or for the CTR workshops, etc. association on a level that fits do just about anything involved The new fields will identify with their schedule and that each with running the GATRA associa- those members who are on call of you will give serious consid- tion knows that it takes a lot of volunteers as well as the type eration to becoming part of this people. You also know that of skills they have that might “on call volunteer” database. It these people are not paid for what be helpful to the association, could be a great opportunity for they do for our association but do the type of projects they enjoy networking and getting to know it only on a volunteer basis as working on and the maximum your fellow GATRA members as their time allows. Much of this amount of time they might be well as serving an organization workforce comes from the folks able to devote to such a pro- that does so much for its mem- that volunteer to serve on our ject. In the near future, an bers in return. If you have any standing committees (Education, email will be sent out to all questions about this project, “Any GATRA Membership, Publicity, Nomina- GATRA members asking you please feel free to contact me at tions, Elections, Audit, Ways and to update your member infor- [email protected] or by phone member who has Means, Historian, By Laws, and mation on the GATRA web- at 706-675-9270. Website). However, I’ve heard site indicating whether you are a GATRA related many other GATRA members willing to be an on call volun- project or task comment that they would like to teer. By default, all members volunteer, but just don’t have the will be set to “no”. If you are and needs help time to commit to serving on a willing to be an on call volun- committee for the entire year. As teer – you will be asked to will be able to go our lives become busier and our change this setting to “yes” jobs become more demanding, and then will be presented to the Members having free time to volunteer for with an additional set of ques- anything is becoming a rare oc- tions or checkboxes to com- database and currence. Unfortunately, that plete regarding your talents, locate other does not negate the need for vol- skills and availability. unteers to help with various pro- GATRA members jects to keep our association going Once the information is gath- throughout the year. What usu- ered – the data will be avail- whose skills or ally happens is the person who able on the GATRA website needs helps ends up calling on under the Members section. talents match those that they KNOW are always Any GATRA member who those needed for willing and able to help because has a GATRA related project they don’t know who else to con- or task and needs help will be their particular tact. able to go to the Members Remember that database and locate other GA- you are project.” Therefore, we are developing a TRA members whose skills or needed. There new project that we are calling talents match those needed for is at least one “GATRA Volunteers On-Call”. their particular project. The important work The idea is to add fields to the member needing volunteers current Members database located can then contact those mem- to be done that on the GATRA website indicating bers whose Member profile will not be GATRA members who might not indicates they are an On-Call done unless have the time to serve on a com- Volunteer and hopefully be you do it. mittee, but who MIGHT be will- able to find volunteers who are -Charles Allen ing to help on a limited basis with willing and able to help on a a one time or short term project smaller scale than serving on a such as some sort of mass mail- committee for an entire year. ing, helping stuff goody bags be- All volunteers will reserve the PAGE 3 GATRA in Solid Financial Shape John Cummings, CTR turns with the IRS and the using our financial resources, 2008 GATRA Treasurer Georgia Department of Reve- and that in turn helps the Ex- nue for 2007. GATRA Presi- ecutive Board to be better dent Kevin Ward has re- stewards of those resources. Thanks to the diligence of ceived an opinion from a tax A copy of the Check Request 2007 Treasurer Patricia Ford- accountant that we should form is available on GA- ham and her predecessors, easily be able to prepare the TRA's web site, or you can GATRA has begun the new returns ourselves, thus saving contact me and I will forward year in an excellent financial the organization the costs of you a copy by e-mail. As “Thanks to the condition. Following a clean professional preparation, always, I welcome any com- diligence of 2007 bill of health from the Audit which I had estimated to be ments or questions from GA- Committee led by Nancy as much as $350. In any TRA members regarding our Treasurer Patricia Coats, responsibility for the event, they will be completed management of the organiza- organization's checking ac- and filed by the April 15 tion's funds - feel free to send Fordham and her count was transferred to me deadline (your Treasurer hav- me an e-mail at jcum- with a balance of $25,342.71. ing no desire to get crossways mings@gwinnettmedicalcent predecessors, Since that time, checks have with the "Revenuers"). er.org. GATRA has begun been written totaling $3,858.10, and total deposits Thanks to everyone who has the new year in an in the amount of $5,460.00 completed a Check Request (consisting mostly of member- form when requesting reim- excellent financial ship dues) have been made, for bursement for expenses that a current balance (as of March they have incurred so far in condition.” 12) of $26,944.61. 2008 - it helps Treasurer- We have determined that GA- Elect Judy Andrews keep TRA will need to file tax re- track of the ways that we are

PAGE 4 A Trip to Washington, D.C. Sherri Bailey, CTR could sit beside his wife and train will take us to the zoo, 2008 GATRA Vice-President now she’s two rows behind then hike another three me. We haven’t even left “blocks” to the zoo. We I don’t know whether it’s me or Atlanta yet and have al- missed our time, half the ex- my co-worker, Lynn, but when- ready had all this happen. hibits were closed for renova- ever we travel together, we al- (I’m beginning to think tion and then it starts to rain. ways have an adventure. Lynn is the jinx, not me!) No umbrellas and the gift shop is closed. Great. We The first trip we went on was to The flight was fine, thank walked back to the Metro, get Washington, D.C. for NCRA. God. We land in D.C. – no off at our station and – hey! – We decided to avoid the inter- problem at that airport. there’s a mall nearby. Why state to the airport and traveled When we were making res- didn’t we notice that before? the “back” way, not knowing ervations for the hotel, we Food! Somewhere to sit! We there was construction for sev- could not get a room either feel better after dinner so eral miles along Camp Creek at the conference hotel or Lynn wants to buy a suitcase Parkway. Needless to say, we the overflow hotel, so since to replace the one that’s now missed our flight and had to pay we get a discount at Com- in the trash. We find a lug- an additional $25 for the next fort hotels through NCRA, gage store that’s having a flight. Not only that, but Lynn we booked a room at the sale. Magic word! Lynn finds had over packed her suitcase and nearest Comfort Suites we a bright pink suitcase – it’s had to remove some of her could find. It didn’t look beautiful, the strap’s secure things and put them in mine or “We haven’t even that far on the map and the and the wheels work. She she was going to have to pay Metro station was only two buys it and nicknames it left Atlanta yet extra for the overage. We make blocks from the hotel, so we “Barbie.” We get back to the and have already it to Security and had our board- would take the Metro to the hotel, shower and pass out. So had all this happen. ing passes and ID ready. Prob- meeting and sightseeing. ends our first day. lem – Lynn goes by her middle Ha! Ha! Ha! It took 45 min- (I’m beginning to name which is how it’s listed on utes on the Metro to get to Stay tuned for the further ad- think Lynn is the her boarding pass, but her the station nearest the hotel ventures of “Sherri & Lynn – jinx, not me!)” driver’s license has her first and then we had to walk the the Two-headed Regis- name with her middle initial. She two blocks (translated = trar!” (That’s another story had to produce some other form miles) to the hotel. Lynn’s entirely! of ID that spelled out both her luggage strap broke so she first and middle names or she had to carry her bag. Now wasn’t getting on the plane. For- remember she had over Nothing can tunately, after much digging in packed so her bag was at stop the man her purse, she found her Social the 50 lb. weight limit. with the right Security card and they let her Lynn found muscles she mental atti- through. We board the plane, get had forgotten she had! We settled in our seats which were make it to the hotel and into tude from aisle seats across from each our room. As soon as Lynn achieving his other. Suddenly, this man two unpacked, that suitcase goal; nothing rows behind me starts complain- went in the garbage. on earth can ing very loudly to the flight attendant that he and his wife (who We were exhausted, but, help the man is sitting beside Lynn) have been brilliant us, we had re- with the separated – that when he booked quested timed tickets to the wrong men- the flight, they had adjoining panda exhibit at the Na- tal attitude. seats and what was the airline tional Zoo! You miss the going to do about it? The flight time, you don’t get into the attendant told him there was exhibit. Well, we couldn’t -Thomas nothing the airline could do let them go to waste, so Jefferson which only made him madder here we go – walk the two and louder. So Lynn volunteered “blocks” back to the Metro to swap seats with him so he station, figure out which PAGE 5 I’m Changing My Title

Paulette Zinkann, CTR but how often do we really allow but we have all a greater aware- 2008 GATRA Secretary ourselves to look at what we ness of what cancer can and can- really do? Although we register not do. And we are proud of How many times have you been cancer, (or tumors, if you’re like our accomplishments. asked about your job title, only to me from the old, old school) we be met with a blank stare? Or per- do much more than that. We are So, I am making a proclamation. haps that nod someone gives you the keepers of statistics that are I am changing my title to when they’re pretending to know more important than some of us “Cancer-Data-Gatherer-Who- what you’re talking about but has realize. Does-a-Lot-More-Than-Just- absolutely no clue of what you’re Gather-Data.” Bet I won’t get “I get that ‘look’ saying? I love when I use the title And we are more than that. that blank stare anymore. But I “Cancer Registrar.” I get that can also bet that I’ll be asked to where the head “look” where the head moves Not only do we collect data for repeat myself. moves back back about six inches from the our hospitals, we use this data in about six inches neck, the jaw clenches, one eye- ways that are making a difference Or I can call myself a “Toomah” from the neck, brow goes up, and the eyes glaze in the cancer world. We attend Registrar. the jaw over. One of my favorite things is workshops to expand our knowl- clenches, one to tell them that I’m a “Toomah” edge. We meet with other regis- Either way, I’m proud of what Registrar. It’s a great segue into trars to share experiences. We we do. eyebrow goes the old Arnold Schwarzenegger attend cancer rallies to boost up, and the eyes shtick from the movie awareness in the community. We Few are too young, and glaze over.” “Kindergarten Cop” where he are “Relay for Life” team mem- none are too old, to make tells the little kid “It’s not a bers. We attend support groups the attempt to learn. toomah.” and meet cancer patients. Some -Booker T. Washington of us are caregivers. Others are All kidding aside, we in the busi- survivors. We may be the ness know what is required of us, “numbers” people in the business, Lymphoma Coding Phyllis Wilson, CTR node primary and NOT as an extra- when coded 10, localized. By lymphatic site. An example of CS definition, site C77.8, the Lym- We had a wonderful presentation Extension for a primary Tonsil phoma is not localized as it is by April Fritz at our GATRA/ Lymphoma, C09.9, is code 10. occurring in more than one re- DHR Fall meeting. Now we need gion. Therefore, it must be to code as she instructed. Some Extranodal Lymphomas occur in coded to as least CS Extension errors are still occurring on in- sites like Stomach, C16.9; Breast, 20. coming abstracts for this cancer. C50.9; or Submandibular gland, C080. If the lymphoma is only Remember these few rules and A few short reminders: present in the extranodal site, CS Lymphoma coding becomes “Some errors Extension is coded 11; if it in- much easier and your data qual- are still occur- Primary Lymphomas occurring in volves the regional Lymph Nodes ity improves. Look for edits to any of the following sites are also, it would be coded 21. be implemented in the near ring on incom- coded to the primary sites: future for Lymphoma coding. ing abstracts Waldeyer’s ring, C14.2; Tonsil, One further hint. If the Lymphoma You can get ahead of the game for this can- C09._; Spleen, C42.2; Peyer’s is in multiple lymph nodes regions by applying these few simple cer.” Patches, (Ileum C17.2); or Thy- and it is not known which region it rules. mus, C37.9. These primary sites started, the site is C77.8. All ab- are classified as Lymphoid tissue stractors understand this and code and are coded in Collaborative the site correctly. However, CS Stage as if they were a Lymph Extension is coded incorrectly PAGE 6 2008 GATRA Executive Board

Officers: Name: E-Mail Address: Telephone: President Kevin Ward [email protected] 404-727-8455 Vice President Sherri Bailey [email protected] 706-234-1400 Treasurer John Cummings [email protected] 678-312-4471 Treasurer-Elect Judy Andrews [email protected] 404-727-9787 Secretary Paulette Zinkann [email protected] 770-736-2421 Immediate Past President Joy Thompson joytaskcnet.org 706-675-9270

Committee Chairs: Education Rana Bayakly [email protected] 404-657-1943 Membership Lonnetta Colton [email protected] 770-918-3383 Public Relations Coleen Richardson [email protected] 404-727-8734 Ways & Means Debra Fortier [email protected] 678-312-4194 Nominations Donna Kersey [email protected] 912-350-8002 Elections Valencia Hood [email protected] 404-727-8709 Bylaws Laurie Miller [email protected] 229-353-6303 Historian Lori Lindsey [email protected] 770-719-6273 Audit Daryl Sirard [email protected] 404-785-3536

Liaisons: NCRA Liaison Kevin Ward [email protected] 404-727-8455 ACS Liaison Kevin Ward [email protected] 404-727-8455 GCCR / Cancer Judy Andrews [email protected] 404-727-9787

Ad Hoc: GATRA Web site Titus Fofung [email protected] 404-727-4151

Want to help make GATRA an even better organization? Have an idea for an improvement? GET INVOLVED! Volunteers are always welcome to help with the work of the committees listed above. Please contact any of the officers or committee chairs listed above for more information.

GATRA Connection Spring 2008

Editor: Coleen Richardson, Public Relations Committee Chair ([email protected] / 404-727-8724), Assistant Editors / Public Relations Committee members: Anne Washington ([email protected])

GATRA Connection is the official newsletter of the Georgia Tumor Registrars Association, and is published three times per year (Spring, Summer, and Fall/Winter). Opinions expressed are those of the authors, and are not necessarily those of the Georgia Tumor Registrars Association or the editors of GATRA Connection. Reproduction in whole or in part without the prior consent of the editor is prohibited.

GATRA Connection welcomes submissions of articles for publication. All submitted articles are subject to editorial review for appropriateness, for- mat, length, etc. Please send all articles, as well as other correspondence, inquiries, corrections, etc., to the attention of Coleen Richardson, Georgia Center for Cancer Statistics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1462 Clifton Rd., NE, 5th Floor Dental Bldg., Atlanta, GA 30322 or at [email protected].

The Inquiring Mind PAGE 9 Daryl Sirard, RHIT, CTR Invasive tumors were studied on Institute has announced they are 95,500 women. Of this number, using a new model for calculating A few months ago, a GATRA 39% of tumors in black women invasive breast cancer risk. NCI member forwarded to The In- were found to be estrogen recep- worked with the Women’s Contra- quiring Mind a news article tor-negative. White women were ceptive and Reproductive Experi- regarding breast cancer being found to be 22% estrogen recep- ences (CARE) Study, the Women’s more deadly in black women. tor- negative. Health Initiative and the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR)

There was a symposium held in It had been presented to the group to develop this method of what

San Francisco in September that socioeconomic factors was they hope will be a more accurate 2007 which had been co- the reason for the discrepancy, method of estimating invasive “Invasive tumors sponsored by the American while another study presented breast cancer risk in black women. showed the tumor’s biology were studied on Society of Breast Disease, the American Society of Breast played a role. Whatever the reason for these dis- 95,500 women. Of Surgeons, The American Soci- crepancies, the fact remains that this number, 39% of ety of Clinical Oncology, the In any case, the overall incidence black women need to be made of breast cancer is lower in black more aware of resources available tumors in black American Society for Thera- peutic Radiology and Oncol- women who have survival rates to detect this deadly disease by women were found ogy, the National Consortium lower than white women. They screenings, self-exams and getting to be estrogen recep- of Breast Centers and the Soci- also are diagnosed at later stages. earlier treatment. tor-negative. White ety of Surgical Oncology. In addition, according to the References used for this article in- women were found For the first time, figures from American Cancer Society, lack of cluded: Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans 2007-2008; Breast to be 22% estrogen the National Cancer Data Base health insurance is associated with more advanced stage at diagnosis. Cancer Facts & Figures 2007-2008— receptor- negative.” were used for more than Both by the American Cancer Society, 170,000 cases diagnosed in Those with lower incomes have a Health Day News, Yahoo News and the 1998. Of that number, ten per- lower 5-year survival rate. National Cancer Institute Website. cent were black women. Meanwhile, the National Cancer PAGE 10 Triple Negative Tumors and Breast Cancer Disparities

The Science Behind the remain constant (or worse) frequent among African- Headlines and survival for AA women American women. TNT also today is equivalent to that of arise at an earlier age, highly Mary Jo Lund, PhD, MSPH, white women from 25 years more prevalent among women MT (ASCP) ago. Current research sug- under age 50 and pre- Research Assistant Professor gests that, along with socio- menopausal women. Particu- - Epidemiology demographic factors, genet- larly young AA women are ics (or biologic factors) may prone to this subtype, which Research Assistant Professor play a major role in explain- may account for nearly half of (Joint) - Hematology ing differences in breast can- all breast cancers in AA Oncology cer outcomes among black women under age 50. TNT are Emory University - Rollins and white. School of Public Health basal-like angry, highly ag- gressive tumors, almost exclu- ‘Triple The heterogeneity sively high histologic grade, of breast cancer has recently more likely to be associated negative’ Among women in the U.S., breast cancer continues been demonstrated through with ‘bad acting’ histologic tumors (TNT) to be the most frequently diag- genetic profiling which has types, and with p53 expres- nosed non-cutaneous cancer identified the presence of sion. Research on what lack and is the most common cause several major breast tumor ‘causes’ the TNT subtype is of cancer death in women be- subtypes. Breast cancer- scarce, but studies suggest that expression of tween the ages of 20-60. Many related proteins correspond risk factors for TNT may dif- with the major genetic sub- fer from classic established these three racial disparities exist with respect to breast cancer. Inci- types; specifically estrogen risk factors for breast cancer. receptors (ER, dence is 10% lower among receptor (ER), progesterone Finally, there is increased risk African-American (AA) receptor (PR), and human of recurrence and death for PR, and HER2) women compared to white epidermal growth factor re- women with TNT, and particu- women, while mortality is ceptor 2 (HER2). The com- larly AA women. This under- and thus paradoxically 36% higher and bined expression of these scores the need for better char- three receptors has become acterization of TNT and to currently have AA women die at a higher rate than any other racial/ethnic most informative in molecu- develop effective targeted lar classification and in cru- therapies. Rigorous ongoing no effective group. cial treatment decisions. research here in Georgia and targeted Beyond incidence and These major ‘triple’ subtypes elsewhere is directed at breast mortality, many other racial have important implications cancer subtypes, particularly therapies disparities exist. AA women in breast cancer etiology, the ‘triple negative’ tumors. It is systemic therapies pre- hoped this research will ulti- available to are diagnosed at a younger age (5-10 years earlier than white scribed, effectiveness of such mately lead to expeditious therapies, and in outcome. clinical translation and effec- them. women), with later stage disease, larger tumors within any For example, the most effective widespread risk and thera- given stage, and may be less tive treatments for breast peutic interventions, thus im- likely to receive treatment cancer, such as hormonal proving the lives of many and according to guidelines. Many therapies (tamoxifen and offering new hope to those in of these characteristics are aromatase inhibitors) or Her- greatest jeopardy. associated with lower socio- ceptin, target these receptors. economic status and all of these characteristics portend ‘Triple negative’ poor outcome. Through earlier tumors (TNT) lack expres- detection and improved treat- sion of these three receptors ments, mortality rates among (ER, PR, and HER2) and women with breast cancer thus currently have no effec- have declined over the last tive targeted therapies avail- decades and 5-year relative able to them. TNT account survival has risen from 75% to for 10-30% of all invasive 90%. Yet mortality differences breast cancers in the U.S. Cont Triple Negative Tumors between AA and white women and appear to be twice as on pg 11 Cont Triple Negative Tumors from page 10 PAGE 11

Triple Negative Tumors (% of Invasive Breast Cancers)

50 47 45 40 39 35 30 % 30 27 27 25 25 25 22 20 19 20 16 16 15 13 12 11 10 5 0 Atl Cal S. Car Atl * S. Car **

Overall Black White

* Women under age 55 when diagnosed ** Premenopausal women

TripleTriple NegativeNegative TumorsTumors inin Atlanta,Atlanta, (%)(%) ByBy AgeAge

50 56.6 55.4

40 % 42.2 42.2 41.2 44.2 30

20 28.6 19.6 19.5 10 17.3

0 20-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54

Black White

Lund MJ et al, BCRT published on line Jan 2008

Racial Differences in Triple Negative Tumors AtlantaAtlanta females under age 55 (%)

ER-PR- ER+PR+ ER-PR- ER+PR+ HER2- HER2- HER2+ HER2+

Overall 29.5 56.2 6.8 7.3

Black * 46.6 38.7 8.7 6.1

White 21.7 64.4 6.0 7.7

* P-value < 0.001 for black vs. white women Lund MJ et al, AACR Annual Meeting 2006 PAGE 12 F Sherita Hearn, BS, CTR bama State University in Mont- looks forward to celebrating its E gomery, AL where she received Centennial Anniversary this her B.S. in Health Information year. Management Summa Cum A Laude in 2006. Her work ex- In her spare time, she enjoys perience includes working for spending time with her family, the Alabama Statewide Cancer shopping, watching any and Registry as a PRN Abstractor every show on HGTV, and trav- T and Jackson Hospital and Clinic eling. as the Asst. Cancer Program Coordinator. She passed her She looks forward to coming in Born and raised in the Metro- CTR exam March 07. contact with other professionals U Atlanta area, Sherita Hearn, who share the same thirst for BS, CTR is the newest team She is a proud member of the knowledge and understanding of member at the Emory Grady nation’s oldest African- this ever-changing, under- R Memorial Hospital Cancer American Sorority, Alpha appreciated, complex field of Registry. She attended Ala- Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Cancer Registry. E D Gwen Bankovich A native of Fulton County, knowledge and education and time), she enjoys church, assist- Gwen (Gray) Bankovich was transferred into the registry ing in nursing home ministry, born and raised in Atlanta, position. After a brief tenure in teatime events, reading and her Georgia. She graduated from Upson Regional’s registry, three grandchildren. And, she Sylvan Hills High School, Gwen accepted the Cancer Reg- loves traveling to Ireland June, 1965, married, and had istrar position at St. Francis (Gwen’s made two trips to date M a family. Hospital, Columbus, Georgia, and wonders if they have cancer September 2007. registrars in the Emerald Isle.) Gwen’s entry into healthcare was in administrative support Gwen is working towards a A summation of Gwen! A ma- E (Secretary to Facilities Man- degree and cancer registrar cer- ture woman with a passion for agement Director, Upson tification by 2010. Her driving helping educate society about Regional Medical Center) in force: she is a cancer survivor this horrible disease: cancer. M May, 2005. When the (October, 1999.) URMC tumor registrar posi- In Gwen’s spare time (let’s kid tion was vacated June, 2007, one another…in the cancer reg- Gwen seized the opportunity istry there is not much time B to expand her healthcare period…much less “spare”

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassion- R ate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these. S -George Washington Carver PAGE 13

G GATRA PRESIDENT AWARDED PHD DEGREE A Congratulations to GATRA President, Kevin Ward, who on January 10 successfully de- T fended his doctoral dissertation entitled Population-Based Cancer Registries: The Role of Area-Based Measures of Socioeconomic Status and Cancer Survival. The defense was con- R ducted before a sell out crowd including faculty of the Department of Epidemiology of the A Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University and present and former staff of the Georgia Center for Cancer Statistics. The defense was followed by a luncheon honoring the new "Dr. Ward."

N Please join us in congratulating our President on this momentous occasion. E

S He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life. -Muhammad Ali CONGRATULATIONS NEW CTRs

Esther Assi Carly M. Ellenberg Lori Harris D. Leigh Kersey Kathy E. McCoy Anita Shakya Cynthia H. Smith Kevin C. Ward

KUDOS

We would like to applaud those who partici- pated in NCRA 2008 Elections

Debra Fortier, RHIA, CTR Debbie Chambers, CTR Dolores E. McCord, RHIT, CTR Loraine Lindsey, CTR Paulette Zinkann, CTR

PAGE 14 Keeping Up With Technology The GATRA Website – organizations must adapt to (http://www.gatraweb.org/

stay efficient. Utilizing contactus.php) and submit Have you ever wondered what existing technology can your suggestions directly the world will be like 20 years serve to fine tune the op- on the web. While you’re from now? Think back to erational activities of any there, look around a bit. 1988 and see what you can organization, especially There are a lot of great remember. As you will recall, non-profit organizations resources just waiting for those were the dark ages prior comprised of volunteer you! to the widespread use of cell leaders. To keep up with phones, the internet and flat technology and to make --Kevin Ward screen TV’s playing your fa- our organization more effi- vorite reality shows. The cell cient, the GATRA website phones that did exist were the has recently undergone a size of a shoe and there were major renovation. With the no ring tones to your favorite G helping hand of an ex- top 40’s song. Most com- tremely talented, volunteer A puters were running MS-DOS, programmer, GATRA has although some company gone electronic! The GA- T named Microsoft had recently Education TRA Board now has secure created an operating system is our pass- access to the membership R with a graphical operating en- port to the database, member lists, vironment called Windows. future, for A meeting minutes, email While the internet did exist, it tomorrow distribution lists, bylaws, was only used by tech geeks belongs to and the GATRA policy and and there were not many of the people procedure manual online at N those. Televisions were in the who pre- www.gatraweb.org. In ad- shape of a box and had a 480 pare for it dition, GATRA members E line resolution. Thirty-five today. can login to the secure sec- inch models were the largest -Malcolm X tion of the website and ac- W around and they were only for cess presentations and min- the wealthy ($3,000 in 1988). S utes from prior annual The thought of creating a tele- meetings, the bylaws, and vision show that filmed non- GATRA member lists. trained actors competing Soon, members will be able against one another for finan- to update their contact in- cial prizes or music contracts formation directly on the was not yet a thought website! (although a nationally broad-

cast talk-show with some Times change and we must woman name Oprah had just as well. We can’t fear new begun). technology; we must em-

brace it and work to utilize The world in 20 years is going it to the fullest extent. If to be an exciting place, at least you have ideas that you I think so. I can’t wait to see would like to share regard- what new technology exists ing ways to advance OUR when my 3 year old son fin- organization using technol- ishes graduate school (Yes, I ogy (or in any other way have high expectations for for that matter), let us him). As technology changes, know. Visit the website PAGE 15 HUMOR CORNER

Two gas company servicemen, a men as they checked her gas meter. them. senior training supervisor and a Finishing the meter check, the senior su- young trainee, were out checking pervisor challenged his younger coworker They stopped and asked her what was meters in a suburban neighborhood. to a foot race down the alley and back to wrong. Gasping for breath, she replied, the truck to prove that an older guy could "When I see two gas men running as hard They parked their truck at one end outrun a younger one. as you two were, I figure I'd better run too!" of the alley and worked their way to the other end. At the last house an As they came running up to the truck, older woman was looking out her they realized the lady from that last house kitchen window watching the two was huffing and puffing right behind

Smile or Groan

Two boll weevils grew up in S. Caro- round the world. the Friars to cut back hours or close down. lina. One took off to Hollywood and The Friars refused. So the florist then hired became a rich star. The other stayed in A vulture boarded a plane, carrying two Hugh McTaggert, the biggest meanest thug Carolina and never amounted to dead raccoons. The stewardess stopped in town. He went to the Friars' shop, beat much--and naturally became known him and said, "Sorry sir, only one carrion them up, destroyed their flowers, trashed as the lesser of two weevils. per passenger." their shop, and said that if they didn't close, he'd be back. Well, totally terrified, the Fri- A group of chess enthusiasts checked Two Eskimos in a kayak were chilly, so ars closed up shop and hid in their rooms. into a hotel, and met in the lobby they started a fire, which sank the craft, This proved that Hugh, and only Hugh, can where they were discussing their re- proving the old adage you can't have prevent florist friars. cent victories in chess tournaments. your kayak and heat it too. The hotel manager came out of the Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked office after an hour, and asked them A group of friars opened a florist shop to barefoot his whole life, which created an to disperse. He couldn't stand chess help with their belfry payments. Everyone impressive set of calluses on his feet. He nuts boasting in an open foyer. liked to buy flowers from the Men of also ate very little, which made him frail, God, so their business flourished. A rival and with his odd diet, he suffered from very NASA recently sent a number of Hol- florist became upset that his business was bad breath. This made him.... what? (This is steins into orbit for experimental suffering because people felt com- so bad it's good...)--a super-callused fragile purposes. They called it the herd shot pelled to buy from the Friars, so he asked mystic hexed by halitosis. GATRAWEB.ORG PAGE 16 EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

tion; a direction in which to pursue an- For more information about this new pro- other avenue in meeting students’ needs. gram, please contact Susan Roberson, at [email protected] or 1-800-646- Ogeechee Technical College currently 1316 x6015. offers the Tumor Registry Specialist Technical Certificate of Credit program and as a two-year technical college, will be offering the Tumor Registry Manage- ment Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree, spring quarter, 2008. With the addition of the new Tumor Registry Management Associate of Ap- In sitting for the CTR exam, NCRA’s plied Science Degree, students will now new eligibility requirements, have given have options in furthering their educa- Ogeechee Technical College a new direction and in meeting their career goals. CALL FOR ARTICLES

GATRA Members,

Tell us how you celebrated National Cancer Registrar Week as well any other articles that you would like to submit to us. We welcome all comments and suggestions on how we can further improve the GATRA Connection.