A New Path for Medical Social Workers: A Personal Reflection as a Cancer Registry Social Worker in a Hospital-Based Cancer Registry

Hospital-based cancer registry is crucial for cancer survival, research, and policy development in India. While scientists and epidemiologists have been widely recognized, the role of social workers within the hospital-based cancer registries is largely unrecognized. This reflective paper is based on professional experience as a cancer registry social worker at a hospital-based cancer registry in India. It describes the responsibilities, learning experiences, challenges, and contributions to cancer registration, patient follow-up, multidisciplinary coordination, research, and community cancer awareness. The role of the cancer registry social worker is extended beyond data collection and reporting to a multidisciplinary approach. These responsibilities strengthen the competence, enhance understanding of real-world problems in oncology and public health, and demonstrate the unique contribution of social workers to cancer surveillance and evidence-based cancer control. The recognition, structured training, and integration of social workers into hospital-based cancer registries can strengthen oncology services, improve registry data quality, and contribute to comprehensive cancer control in India.