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.

New 80% Blog Post: Welcome to 2025 from Dr. Steven Itzkowitz, ACS NCCRT Chair 

Hear Reflections on our Work in 2024 and New Directions for 2025 

You won’t want to miss the latest 80% Blog post from Dr. Steven Itzkowitz, ACS NCCRT Chair. Hear Dr. Itzkowitz’s reflections on some of our successes from 2024, learn about ACS NCCRT’s move further into the continuum of colorectal cancer, and hear a bit about what’s to come in 2025. 

American Cancer Society Releases Annual Cancer Statistics Report 

Overall Cancer Mortality Continues to Decline, but Cancer Patients are Getting Younger 

Today, the American Cancer Society released Cancer Statistics 2025 and its consumer-friendly companion, Cancer Facts & Figures 2025. The new findings show the overall cancer mortality rate declined by 34% from 1991 to 2022 in the United States, averting approximately 4.5 million deaths. However, this steady progress is jeopardized by increasing incidence for many cancer types, especially among women and younger adults, shifting the burden of disease.  

The report projects that in 2025, an estimated 107,320 cases of colon cancer and 46,950 cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed in the US, and a total of 52,900 people will die from these cancers. New findings also show that the rate of new diagnoses of colorectal cancer in men and women younger than 65 years of age has increased. While colorectal cancer incidence has declined since the mid-1980s due to changing patterns in risk factors and the widespread uptake of screening that began around 2000 among adults ages 50 and older; during 2012 to 2021, the rate decreased by about 1% per year. However, trends differ by age because the risk of disease is rising among generations born since 1950; rates increased by 2.4% per year in people younger than 50 years and by 0.4% per year in adults 50-64 during 2012 to 2021.  

Webinar Opportunity: Public Awareness Strategies to Promote Colorectal Cancer Screening 

February ACS NCCRT Webinar Highlights Best Practices and Successes from Across the Country 

The ACS NCCRT is holding a webinar on Wednesday, February 5, from 3-4 PM ET highlighting 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. 

Order Your Blue Star Pins Today for March 

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is Right Around the Corner 

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. It’s recommended to place your order by January 29 to receive them in time for March 2025 activities. Visit this webpage to learn more about pricing and how to place your order. 

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Opportunities with Fight Colorectal Cancer 

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

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

• Call-on Congress: Join Fight Colorectal Cancer March 9-11 in Washington, DC for Call-on Congress, an opportunity to connect with fellow advocates, meet with members of Congress and their staff, and impact policy change.  For more information visit this page. Registration closes January 31, 2025. 
• Local Flag Kits: Join us in bringing United in Blue to all 50 states! Our Local Flag Kits include 27 blue flags, educational resources, and creative ideas to help you create meaningful displays that raise awareness for colorectal cancer. You can display the flags at local businesses, libraries, parks, schools, healthcare facilities, or even organize a community event in your neighborhood. Every display, big or small, sparks important conversations and spreads awareness. Order your kit here. 

Many thanks for the great work you do!

The ACS NCCRT Team

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