Dear NCCRT Members and 80% Partners,

We would like to take a moment to address the current tragic events of racial injustice that are causing pain and heartache across the country. We, too, are saddened and distressed by the senseless deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd and the many other black individuals whose name we may never know.

Health equity has always been one of our core values, but this week, we recognize more than ever that the inequities and injustices we must conquer to achieve health equity extend far beyond access to colorectal cancer screening and follow up care. They are rooted in structural racism, poverty, and other social determinants of health. Colorectal cancer does not affect everyone equally; incidence and mortality are highest in blacks, and we see disparate impacts in many groups. We as a nation and as the public health community have much work to do to address the systemic inequities that lead to health disparities. We are committed to doing our part, together with you, because everyone deserves to live a healthy life with equal opportunity.

We’re also heartened to see so many of our members and partners act, look inward, and reach outward to explore new ways to work toward a brighter future. We will share just a few items here, but will look to continue disseminating other articles of commentary and action with our members in future communications. The American Cancer Society is one of many organizations that released a statement that echoes our commitment to health equity. Our member gastroenterological societies have also released a joint statement voicing a pledge to lead change. As we close, we remind ourselves that addressing health disparities is at the heart of the 80% in Every Community campaign, and we are lucky to have you all as incredible organizations, leaders, and voices that are so determined in making our response united and impactful.

The NCCRT Team

Replay of NCCRT Webinar on Findings from Colorectal Cancer Statistics 2020

In case you missed it, a replay of the May 18th webinar, Colorectal Cancer Burden Shifting to Younger Individuals: A close look at what the most recent data tells us about colorectal cancer incidence, mortality, and screening rates, is now available. The webinar offered a close look at the findings from Colorectal Cancer Statistics 2020, and featured lead author Rebecca Siegel, MPH, Scientific Director, Surveillance Research, and Robert Smith, PhD, Senior Vice President of Cancer Screening, both at ACS. Slides are also available for download.
Watch the Replay

New Colorectal Cancer Screening CME Opportunity

The University of North Texas Health Science Center, the American Cancer Society in Texas, the Texas colorectal cancer task force, and Incedo, a technology services firm, recently collaborated to develop a no cost colorectal cancer CME webinar opportunity authored by Dr. Richard Wender, NCCRT chair. The activity discusses the latest guidelines and methods for colorectal cancer screening and why increasing rates are important to health professionals. This activity was designed for physicians, medical assistants, nurses and public health workers and is approved for 1.0 credit.

2020 Prevent Cancer Dialogue Webcast Series

The Prevent Cancer Foundation announced the 2020 Prevent Cancer Dialogue will be offered in a virtual format with a three-part webinar series on cancer prevention, screening, and action. The third webinar in the series, Challenges and Opportunities for Cancer Prevention and Screening in Indian Country on Wednesday, July 1, 12:30-4:30pm ET, will include presentations on colorectal cancer screening.

Open Position with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance

The Colorectal Cancer Alliance is seeking applicants for a Vice President of Prevention who will be passionate about colorectal cancer screening and prevention efforts and work tirelessly to increase screening rates to save lives.

Relevant Journal Articles and Publications

• Fight Colorectal Cancer led a collaboration with the health care technology company, Komodo Health, to develop a research brief highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on colorectal cancer screening and care. Among other findings, the report finds the total number of colonoscopies and biopsies performed declined nearly 90% by mid-April compared to the same period last year. The findings were featured in the New York Times and Reuters.
• The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors recently released the report: Impact of the Changing Public Health Environment on State Cancer Programs: COVID-19 and the Implications for Cancer Screening.
• This week the Colorectal Cancer Alliance released the 2019 Never Too Young Survey Report. The report highlights critical findings from almost 900 patients and over 200 caregivers on their self-reported experience from pre-diagnosis through survivorship.

Many thanks for the great work you do.

The NCCRT Team Did you miss a past edition of CRC News? Visit the News & Research archive.

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