National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable and Fight Colorectal Cancer Rally Survivors, Celebrities and Experts to Launch New Colon Cancer Screening Campaign

Change makers, thought leaders, and celebrities join forces to raise awareness at March event in Atlanta

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Feb 25, 2019, 14:28 ET

ATLANTA, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) and the American Cancer Society will join forces during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month to kick off the new colorectal cancer screening campaign, "80% in Every Community," March 7, 2019. Two events are scheduled to take place to raise awareness about colorectal cancer and this new campaign.

The live event and live broadcast will begin at 2:00 PM at the American Cancer Society Global Headquarters in downtown Atlanta. Public health influencers from around the country will come together to explore strategies for increasing colorectal cancer screening rates with the goal of achieving 80% screening in all communities. Speakers will include the nation's leading cancer control experts, local health care champions, survivors and special guests.

The day will begin with a social media kick-off party at the UPS Suite at the Mercedes Benz Stadium to galvanize leaders of the Atlanta community to raise awareness about steps the local community can take to increase colorectal cancer screening rates. This event is invitation only, but will be broadcast live from Facebook.com/MayoClinic at 10:00 AM.

"80% in Every Community reemphasizes the commitment to our collective mission of achieving 80% screening rates in every community across the country," said Dr. Richard Wender, chief cancer control officer, American Cancer Society, and chair, NCCRT. "We must continue the hard work to break down barriers to ensure that everyone has access to life-saving colorectal cancer screening."

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. among men and women combined. The American Cancer Society estimates that 145,600 people in the United States will be diagnosed with the disease, and more than 51,000 people will die from it in 2019. Men and women at average risk for colorectal cancer should begin screening by at least age 50. The ACS recommends men and women at average risk for colorectal cancer start screening at age 45. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening commence at age 50. Screening can prevent colorectal cancer through the detection and removal of precancerous growths, as well as detect cancer at an early stage, when treatment is usually less extensive and more successful. About 1 in 3 adults age 50 or older, nearly 38 million people in the US, are not getting the recommended testing.

"Fight CRC is thrilled to partner with ACS and NCCRT to kick-off a renewed effort to reach 80% screened in communities across the country," said Anjee Davis, Fight CRC President. "We'll start the day off with a social media rally from the Mercedes Benz stadium featuring experts and community leaders and end with a live broadcast from ACS global headquarters where we will feature inspirational speakers and a surprise musical performance. The energy behind this campaign is important because it puts a spotlight on colorectal cancer and the incredible efforts to increase screening across the country."

Individuals and organizations are encouraged to join both events on March 7^th via the live broadcasts. The morning event will be live broadcast on Facebook.com/MayoClinic from 10:00 - 11:00 AM, and the afternoon event will broadcast on Facebook.com/coloncancerroundtable from 2:00 PM - 3:00PM ET. Visit the event webpage to register to attend the afternoon event in person and to register for the live broadcast. There is also the option to register to host a watch party and participate live on social media using #80inEveryCommunity.

About Fight Colorectal Cancer

Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) is a trusted national nonprofit advocacy organization fighting for a cure. It was founded in 2005 by Nancy Roach, a patient advocate who witnessed the need for colorectal cancer advocacy after her mother-in-law's diagnosis. The organization plays an important role in rallying colorectal cancer advocates to action. Fight CRC is known for activism and patient empowerment throughout patient, academic, political, scientific, medical and nonprofit communities. With a mission focused on advocacy, research, patient education and awareness, the organization serves advocates in every state of the U.S. and many others around the world. Fight CRC is rated Platinum by nonprofit monitoring group GuideStar and a 4-star charity by Charity Navigator. To learn more, visit FightCRC.org.

About American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is the only organization attacking cancer from every angle. For more information go to www.cancer.org.

About the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable

The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT), established by the American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1997, is a national coalition of more than 100 membership organizations, including public organizations, private organizations, voluntary organizations, and invited individuals, dedicated to reducing the incidence of and mortality from colorectal cancer in the U.S., through coordinated leadership, strategic planning, and advocacy. The ultimate goal of the NCCRT is to increase the use of recommended colorectal cancer screening tests among the entire population for whom screening is appropriate. As part of this mission, the NCCRT has launched a goal, which aims to engage partners and the public in reaching an 80% colorectal cancer screening rate. Over 1700 organizations – including health plans, medical professional societies, academic centers, survivor groups, government agencies, cancer coalitions, cancer centers, employers, and many others – have signed a pledge to make this goal a priority. Learn more about NCCRT and the 80% in Every Community campaign at www.nccrt.org.

About the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

CDC works 24/7 protecting America's health, safety and security. Whether disease start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America's most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world. CDC administers the Colorectal Cancer Control Program. The purpose of the Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) is to increase colorectal cancer screening rates among people between 50 and 75 years of age. The CRCCP implements evidence-based interventions described in the Guide to Community Preventive Services (the Community Guide) (such as provider reminders, patient reminders, provider assessment and feedback), and supporting strategies in partnership with health systems in partnering health systems and clinics. The scientific evidence demonstrates that the interventions are effective in increasing CRC screening. CDC currently funds 30 CRCCP grantees including 23 states, 6 universities, and 1 tribal organizations. Most CRCCP grantees (72%) work with Federally Qualified Health Centers; FQHCs serve a high percent of low income population where CRC screening rates are low. To find a program visit https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/crccp/contact.htm.

SOURCE American Cancer Society