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

ACS NCCRT’s Latest Resource Released! 

New Lead Time Messaging Guidebook: A Tool to Encourage On-Time Colorectal Cancer Screening

We are excited to announce the release of the ACS NCCRT’s latest resource: Lead Time Messaging Guidebook: A Tool to Encourage On-Time Colorectal Cancer Screening. This guidebook is intended to provide you with information and tools to help motivate individuals at average and heightened risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) to discuss screening prior to the recommended screening age. Our belief is that this will increase the likelihood that they will prioritize getting screened on-time for CRC.  

It is a priority of the ACS NCCRT to uncover barriers and develop tools to support CRC screening because we know screening and early detection can save lives. This led to our interest in understanding what types of tailored messages could heighten awareness around the importance of on-time and regular screening. 

A culmination of findings from ACS NCCRT messaging-related research, relevant information from ACS NCCRT signature resources, and driven by concerning data reflecting increases in CRC in younger populations, this guide is intended to support and catalyze current efforts to increase CRC screening rates. Our goal is for everyone to have equitable access to screening and for individuals to feel empowered to prioritize getting screened for CRC as soon as they are eligible. 

Acknowledgements: 

The ACS NCCRT would like to thank the Lead Time Messaging Advisory Committee members who generously offered their time and expertise to the development of this guidebook’s research and content. We would also like to acknowledge, with deep gratitude, Whitney Jones, MD, who championed the lead time messaging concept, as well as two late colleagues, Thomas Weber, MD FACS and Dennis Ahnen, MD, who were instrumental in promoting the ACS NCCRT’s adoption of this paradigm shift. A special thank you to the chairs of the ACS NCCRT Family History & Early-Age Onset Colorectal Cancer Strategic Priority Team, Heather Hampel, MS, CGCC and Paul Schroy, MD, MPH, for providing vision, leadership, and guidance. 

Spread the Word: 

We encourage you to share this new resource with your partners. Retweet from @NCCRTnews and share our posts on LinkedIn. 

Learn More by Joining our Webinar in January: Join us on January 22, 2024, from 2:00-3:00 PM ET to learn more about this new resource and the market research that helped inform this work. Register now to reserve your spot in this program.  

Thank you to the many members and partners that contributed to this very important resource! We are excited to see how you use these findings to reach the communities you serve. 

Last Call for Nominations for our National Achievement Awards! 

Submissions Close End of Day Today, December 4th, 2023

There is still time to submit your nominees for the 80% in Every Community National Achievement Awards! This competitive recognition program seeks to highlight colorectal cancer screening success stories by recognizing individuals and organizations who are dedicating their time, talent and expertise to advancing the shared goal to reach colorectal cancer screening rates of 80% and higher in communities across the nation. Of course, we welcome nominations of partners who have reached 80%, but we are also looking to recognize systems who are seeing noted improvements in baseline screening rates or recognize individual champions who have made a difference through leadership or other means.  

Each award winner receives a monetary award to support continued efforts to increase CRC screenings, as well as having their work highlighted throughout the next year by the ACS NCCRT on a national stage. Submissions will be accepted through Monday, December 4, 2023, at 11:59 PM ET.  

Nominate yourself or other outstanding partners—multiple nominations are accepted!—for the ACS NCCRT’s 80% in Every Community National Achievement Awards and highlight their hard work to increase CRC Screening! 

Last Call for Vice Chair Nominations:

Contribute to Our Search for a New ACS NCCRT Vice Chair

The ACS NCCRT is continuing to seek nominations for a new Vice Chair to serve with ACS NCCRT Chair, Dr. Steven Itzkowitz. This important role for the Roundtable helps establish national colorectal cancer control priorities, provides guidance to ACS NCCRT staff, and supports the development and dissemination of ACS NCCRT resources. Nominees can be self-selected or nominated by a colleague, preferably from a participating ACS NCCRT member. 

If you are interesting in submitting a nominee, or would like to self-nominate, please complete the following form or reach out to Kaitlin Sylvester at [email protected] for more information. Interest can be submitted at any time. Nomination materials—CV and statement of interest—must be received by December 5, 2023, at 12:00 PM ET. 

The ACS NCCRT Nomination Committee will convene to prepare a nomination slate and a new Vice Chair will be selected through a virtual voting process in early 2024. 

Upcoming Member & Partner Events:

Register and Save the Date for these Upcoming Programs

• The American Cancer Society National Navigation Roundtable (ACS NNRT) is hosting a webinar on December 6, 2023, from 2:00-3:15 PM ET titled “Pursuing Patient Navigation Policy Landscape.” Presenters will review different types of insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, Private), provide an overview of the new CMS Rule, identify ACS CAN’s plans for future opportunities, and identify opportunities to be actively involved.
• Exact Sciences will host a live webinar titled, “The Exact Science Behind Cologuard®: The Value of Cologuard in CRC Screening and the Data Driving the Test’s Next Generation” December 7, 2023, with viewing options at 1:00 PM CT and 5:00 PM CT. Featured presenters will include Chief Medical Officer Paul Limburg, MD, MPH, AGAF, and Senior Director of Field Medical Amber Coleman, PharmD, BCPS.
• The Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists (ABGH) is hosting its second annual CME medical symposium on May 17, 2024, in Washington, DC. Save the data and find upcoming registration information on the ABGH website.
• Save the date for the third annual Western Colorectal Cancer Consortium Conference on September 26-27, 2024, in Davis, CA. Visit the website for more information.

Many thanks for all the great work you do!

The NCCRT Team

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