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

ACS NCCRT and Members’ Policy Roundup 

The ACS NCCRT Has Gathered Some of the Latest News About Colorectal Cancer Policy 

As the policy landscape continues to change, the ACS NCCRT is pleased to provide you with a few brief policy updates from our members and partners:  

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)  

• In February, ACS CAN filed an amicus brief with the US Supreme Court in partnership with 32 patient and medical professional organizations supporting the constitutionality of the provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that requires most private insurers cover preventive services recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) without cost-sharing by patients. To learn more about the amicus brief and Braidwood Management v. Kennedy (formerly Becerra), visit this link. 
• On March 27, ACS CAN released a statement regarding the significant U.S. Department of Health and Human Services workforce restructuring and what it means in the context of cancer. 
• On April 9, ACS CAN released a statement urging House members to oppose cuts to Medicaid, nothing that Medicaid is a lifeline for cancer patients and all those at risk for developing the disease 
• To stay informed of any action you can take, join ACS CAN’s email list to learn more. 

Colorectal Cancer Alliance (Alliance) 

• The Alliance published two recent blogs addressing CRC policy, funding, and research priorities:  
  • Alliance Meets with Leaders on Capitol Hill to Urge CRC Action 
  • Alliance Shares Response to Federal Cancer Research Cuts 

Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) 

• FORCE and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) are inviting patient and provider advocacy organizations to sign on to this letter expressing support for the Reducing Hereditary Cancer Act, which is slated to be reintroduced in the coming weeks. Learn more here. 

Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) 

• Fight CRC and a coalition of 38 organizations released a statement in support of preserving access to CRC screening ahead of oral arguments beginning in Braidwood Management v. Kennedy. To learn more or get involved in these efforts reach out to Molly McDonnell at [email protected].  
• Fight CRC is working with their advocacy partners to advocate on Capitol Hill for increased funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Colorectal Cancer Control Program and for the creation of a Colorectal Cancer Research Program within the Department of Defense. To learn more, view these action alerts. 

State of Kentucky 

• The Colon Cancer Prevention Project recently announced that the State of Kentucky passed a bill into law that: 
  • Guarantees insurers must cover all CRC screening services for those defined as high-risk by the United States Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer 
  • Prohibits prior authorization for CRC examinations and laboratory tests 
  • Eliminates all cost-sharing and prior authorization for low volume split dose colonoscopy preps, including for those on Medicaid 

Latest ACS NCCRT Blue Star Conversation Slides Available 

Explore Findings from a New Modeling Study on Colorectal Cancer Screening and Outcomes 

The ACS NCCRT held its latest members-only Blue Star Conversation, on Tuesday, April 15^th, titled “Modeling the Impact of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening and Timely Follow-Up Colonoscopy: Recent Data from the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET).” The program featured a presentation highlighting yet-to-be-published data from CISNET, a consortium of NCI-sponsored investigators that includes modeling to improve our understanding of the impact of cancer control interventions on population trends in incidence and mortality.  

Speakers featured: 

• John M. Inadomi, MD, University of Utah Health   
• Amy Knudsen, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital 
• Carolyn M. Rutter, PhD, Fred Hutch Cancer Center 
• Molly McDonnell, Fight Colorectal Cancer (moderator) 

Happy National Volunteer Week from the ACS NCCRT  

We Are Grateful for All of Our Volunteers’ Work 

In celebration of National Volunteer Week (April 21-27), the ACS NCCRT would like to take a moment to thank all our volunteers that make our work possible. Earlier this year, we posted a blog highlighting volunteers from 2024 to now, and we’d like to reshare that now to show how much they impact the work of the roundtable. Our staff appreciates all that you do to increase CRC screening and reduce the burden of CRC in your communities!  

Request for Applications: VOICES of Black Women Community Partnership Program 

Celebrate Minority Health Month by Applying to Help Promote This Critical, Health Equity-Focused Study 

American Cancer Society’s (ACS’s) VOICES of Black Women Study Team are pleased to be launching the VOICES Community Partnership Program. The ACS has developed this funding opportunity to partner with community organizations to increase research engagement among individuals eligible to participate in the VOICES of Black Women study. Organizations selected for this program will receive funding and coaching support from the VOICES Study Team to implement outreach and recruitment activities. Applications for this program open on April 28, 2025, and close on June 6, 2025. Please read the pre-announcement linked here for more information. Please email [email protected] should you have questions or need additional information. 

Recent and Upcoming CRC-Related Opportunities and Content 

Plan Ahead and Review Educational Events and Resources 

• The Southeastern Colorectal Cancer Consortium is now accepting abstracts for their June 11-13 meeting in Savannah, GA. To be considered, visit this link and submit by April 25 at 12pm ET. 
• On March 27, the ACS NCCRT partnered with the ACS Implementation Science team to host a webinar focused on health centers covering the current state of CRC, the urgent need for screening patients aged 45-55, and a review of tools and resources available. Slides, a recording, and other resources are available for review.  
• The National Committee for Quality Assurance is developing a new CRC HEDIS® measure for follow-up colonoscopy after an abnormal non-colonoscopy test. Learn more about it and how to get involved here. 
• Exact Sciences is pleased to announce that their Focus Program’s Spring 2025 RFP is open. The FOCUS Program is an 18-month grant program aimed at supporting organizations interested in increasing CRC screening rates and education in their respective communities. To learn more and apply by May 15 at 11:59pm CT, visit this link.   

Many thanks for the great work you do!

The ACS NCCRT Team

Do you have a colleague that would like to be added to receive our newsletter? Please encourage them to sign up to receive CRC News by following the link and scrolling to the bottom of the page to fill out the contact form.