Colorectal Cancer

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Colorectal Cancer

Task Force

Task Force Mission

The Colorectal Cancer Task Force (CRC TF) is dedicated to decreasing the incidence and mortality from colorectal cancer in Colorado.  The primary goal of the TF is colorectal cancer prevention since colorectal cancer is a demonstrably preventable disease.  In the next two years our focus will be on saving lives through collaborative efforts to prevent colorectal cancer and reach the 80% by 2018 screening goal in Colorado.  We hope to address this issue in both the general population of Colorado but also to focus efforts on underserved and underscreened population including the uninsured, underinsured, low income group as well as those at increased colorectal cancer risk due to a family history of the disease.  The TF  provides a forum for networking of representatives from multiple private and public agencies in Colorado that focus on colorectal  cancer prevention and control.  The CRC TF helped write the colorectal cancer goals of the Colorado Cancer Plan.  It meets monthly to review progress on the Colorado Cancer Plan priorities, discuss policy issues, educate one another about existing programs, and create programmatic partnerships where gaps in service exist.

Member Organizations

Westley Lighthall, Co-Chair

Cancer Health Systems Specialist, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Contact Westley

Jackie Woods, Co-Chair

Senior Manager, Hospital Systems, American Cancer Society
Contact Jackie

Member organizations

  • American Cancer Society
  • Axis Health System
  • BioiQ
  • Colon Cancer Alliance
  • Colorado Colon and Rectal Specialists
  • Colorado Colorectal Screening Program
  • Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
  • Denver Health and Medical Center
  • Gastroenterology of the Rockies
  • Lutheran (SCL Health)
  • Penrose Cancer Center
  • Sky Ridge Medical Center
  • Summit Community Care Clinic
  • University of Colorado Cancer Center

Task Force Action Plan

The Task Force created a 2 year Action Plan in May 2016.

Action Plan

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Download the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Media Kit

Early Screening Essential to CRC Prevention and Increasing Cure Rate

“‘Fit” Your Business for Cancer Screening – Presentation

CRC Awareness Month Resources 2017 – Support Groups and resources

80 by 2018 Pledge  – Take the pledge to embrace the shared goal of 80% screened by 2018.

Meeting Information

  • Date

    2nd Thursday of the Month

    *No meeting in March*

  • Time

    7:30 am – 8:30 am

  • Address

    American Cancer Society
    2255 S Oneida St.
    Colorado Room
    Denver, CO 80224

  • Conference Line

    Dial: +1 646 558 8656 (US Toll) or +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll) Meeting ID: 505 608 105

Task Force Meeting Minutes

Colorectal Cancer Task Force Current Work

Expanding Membership – Recruiting participants to strengthen the reach of the task force, including survivors, advocates, clinicians, researchers, employers, administrators, public health professionals, industry representatives, and more.
Provider Education – Developing educational tools and resources, including presentations, for various audiences: providers (specialty and primary), public, community, public health. Developing educational messages to engage diverse communities. Present to stakeholder groups about importance of colorectal cancer screening and spread awareness across the state. Support knowledge sharing about physician and practice education/outreach efforts.
Speaker’s Bureau – Coordinating with the Screening Coordinating Committee, identifying expert speakers to cover all cancers (including colorectal cancer) throughout the state. Creating presentation templates and directory of experts for speaker requests throughout the year. 
 
“Links of Care” Package – Creating a toolkit of information for interested partners to facilitate discussion and set up a system for donated colonoscopies with hospital systems in Colorado.
 
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Planning – Developing communication plan and task force specific outreach and events for March to promote Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. March 2017 Media can be accessed here.

Join the Colorectal Cancer Task Force

Use the button below to sign up for Colorcetal Task Force updates and updates from the Colorado Cancer Coalition.

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Colorectal Cancer Task Force Successes

FDA Approved Cologuard, a noninvasive colorectal cancer screening, is now a Medicare and Medicaid approved screening test. See slides – Cologuard Information

Signed the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable’s 80% by 2018 Pledge.

Members from the Colon Cancer Alliance presented the University of Colorado Cancer Center a check from the 2016 Undy for $52,000. The University of Colorado Cancer Center (in alliance with the Colorectal Cancer Task Force) has been able to provide over 350 no-cost screenings as a CCA Blue Hope Partner. Researchers with the University mentioned that 85% of those receiving these screenings identified as Hispanic and 20% are high-risk individuals under age 50.

Presented to the Colorado Business Group on Health in February 2017 to provide employers with tools and resources for employers who decide to take action to promote 80% screening by 2018.

Hosted a Candlelight Vigil in Denver in March 2017 to honor the progress made towards reducing the burden of colorectal cancer and to recognize all those touched by this devastating disease.

Resources

Screening Resources

For Patients

For Providers