Welcome to this latest edition of CRC News, the American Cancer Society National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (ACS NCCRT) periodic newsletter for ACS NCCRT members and partners working toward our shared goal to reach 80% in Every Community.

Newly Updated: Clinician’s Reference Brief 

The Brief Aims to Introduce (or Reintroduce) the Value of Stool-Based Testing to Primary Care Clinicians

Studies show that people at average risk for colorectal cancer are more likely to complete screening when given a choice of test options. The ACS NCCRT’s is releasing newly updated Clinician’s Reference: Stool-Based Tests for Colorectal Cancer Screening brief outlines the value of stool-based testing for colorectal cancer for primary care clinicians; it summarizes the science behind the different types of stool-based tests available—Fecal Immunochemical Tests (FIT), High-Sensitivity Fecal Occult Blood Tests (HS-gFOBT) and FIT-DNA testing—and provides guidance on implementing high quality stool-based screening programs.  

The ACS NCCRT would like to thank numerous individuals from the Professional Education and Practice Implementation (PEPI) Strategic Priority Team and especially Drs. Frank Colangelo, Xavier Llor, and Keith Winfrey, who generously provided their time and expertise in the development of this latest edition.  

Webinar Next Week: Public Awareness Strategies to Promote Colorectal Cancer Screening 

Join us on February 5 While We Highlight Best Practices and Successes from Across the Country 

There is still time to register for next week’s webinar covering public awareness strategies to promote colorectal cancer screening! The latest ACS NCCRT webinar, which takes place on Wednesday, February 5, from 3-4 PM ET, highlights how four diverse community organizations and health systems developed innovative public awareness strategies to promote timely colorectal cancer screening in the communities they serve.  

Registration is free and is open to ACS NCCRT members, 80% Pledge partners, CDC grantees, ACS and ACS CAN staff, and other partners working to increase colorectal cancer screening rates. Pre-registration is required. Note: this session will feature much of the same content shared in a concurrent session held on Thursday, November 21st at the 2024 ACS NCCRT Annual Meeting. 

Call to Members and Partners for March Events, Resources and Opportunities 

Have Your Work Highlighted in CRC News 

The ACS NCCRT invites members and partners to share their events, resources, and opportunities for others to get involved in their work while celebrating March as National Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Awareness Month. We are looking to highlight: 

• New CRC-related resources (published since January 2024) 
• State, regional, or national CRC-related events in March 2025 
• State, regional, or national CRC-related opportunities in March 2025 
• With rare exception, the ACS NCCRT aims to highlight free or not-for-profit fee events 

We will aim to feature as many submissions as we can in a special CRC News in the lead up to March 2025. Form submissions are due by 11:59pm ET, Wednesday, February 19, 2025.  

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Opportunities with Colorectal Cancer Alliance 

The ACS NCCRT Member Has Multiple Ways to Engage Around CRC in March 

ACS NCCRT Member the Colorectal Cancer Alliance is promoting multiple activities in preparation for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March. They include: 

• Last month, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance gathered patients, survivors, experts, and partners to offer support and education at AllyCon 2024. For those who couldn’t attend, session videos on Navigating Your Care and CRC State of the Union are now available for viewing.  
• Join the screening card challenge to promote CRC screening in your community.  
• Spread education through CRC awareness literature and brochures.  
• Walk to End Colon Cancer at DC Scope It Out on March 23 and reserve a kite to be flown over the National Mall in memory of a loved one. 

Upcoming CRC-Related Opportunities 

Register for Upcoming Events or Plan Ahead for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 

• The American Cancer Society recently published the latest edition of it’s annual Cancer Statistics Report. Visit this page to learn more about how cancer mortality continues to decline but cancer patients are getting younger.  
• As you prepare for National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month this March, be sure to place your bulk Blue Star pins or bracelet orders this month. Visit this webpage to learn more about pricing and how to place your order. 
• Save the date for the ninth annual Southeastern Colorectal Cancer Consortium Conference, to be held June 11-13, 2025, in Savannah, Georgia at the Hyatt Regency Savannah. Additional information will be made available here in the coming weeks.   

Many thanks for the great work you do!

The ACS NCCRT Team

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