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What is the NCCRT?
The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT) is a national coalition of public, private, and voluntary organizations whose mission is to advance colorectal cancer control efforts by improving communication, coordination, and collaboration among health agencies, medical-professional organizations, and the public. The ultimate goal of the roundtable is to increase the use of proven colorectal cancer screening tests among the entire population for whom screening is appropriate.
Through its collective efforts, the roundtable will:
- Strengthen the network of public and private organizations concerned with promoting colorectal cancer screening.
- Determine clinical and consumer barriers to screening through research.
- Assess current public awareness of and interest in screening.
- Develop and disseminate health messages.
About the NCCRT
Beginning in 1997, the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began to explore the possibility of forming a collaborative group of organizations interested in colorectal cancer. As a result, in 1997 the ACS and CDC convened the first meetings of the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable inviting potential partners to discuss strategies for educating medical providers and the public about the importance of colorectal cancer screening. In September 1998, the Roundtable participated in a special White House event featuring First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, HHS Secretary Donna Shalala, NBC Today show co-anchor Katie Couric, and Good Housekeeping Editor-in-Chief Ellen Levine, to promote colon cancer prevention and early detection. As part of the event, public service announcements (PSAs) were released to raise public awareness about the benefits of colorectal cancer screening. The colorectal cancer video PSA that featured Mrs. Clinton won a 1999 Aesculapius Award of Excellence for excellence in health communications.
Partnership Activities
The NCCRT is a collaborative partnership with close to 50 members across the nation. NCCRT partners include state health departments, professional organizations, medical societies, federal agencies, consumers, cancer survivors, managed care organizations, private industry, health educators, and the medical media. Through the efforts of three workgroups focused on provider education, public education, and health policy, the NCCRT identified the educational needs and health messages for both health care providers and consumers and explored health care system and policy issues related to colorectal cancer. Each workgroup has developed a set of recommendations that will be incorporated into a national colorectal cancer strategic plan.
Many challenges and needs have already been identified by the NCCRT that recognize the potential public health benefits from establishing colorectal cancer initiatives. A number of states have initiated colorectal cancer screening efforts, while others have taken steps to include colorectal cancer activities in their state cancer control plans. Together members work hard to share information, identify needs and opportunities, and address gaps in research, programs, activities, and services relating to colorectal cancer. The strength of such a partnership, united in mission, will enhance the work of each member and thus effectively further the cause of colorectal cancer prevention in the United States.
For a list of member organizations, please click on the Roundtable Members tab (above).
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