The GW Cancer Center Joins Nearly 1,000 Local and National Organizations to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates Nationwide

Newswise, July 8, 2016 —George Washington University (GW) Cancer Center has joined with nearly 1,000 local and national organizations to support the 80% by 2018 initiative, led by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT), an organization co-founded by ACS and CDC. The 80% by 2018 initiative represents a shared goal to have 80 percent of adults age 50 and over regularly screened for colorectal cancer by 2018.

Colorectal cancer is the nation’s second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths when men and women are combined; however, it is one of only a few cancers that can be prevented. Through proper colorectal cancer screening, doctors can find and remove hidden growths (called “polyps”) in the colon before they become cancerous. Removing polyps can prevent cancer altogether.

“Our support of the 80% by 2018 initiative represents a continuation and recognition of our work in comprehensive cancer control,” said Mandi Pratt-Chapman, associate center director for patient-centered initiatives and health equity for the GW Cancer Center. “We are committed to spreading the word about the importance of regular colorectal cancer screening and supporting the great work of the NCCRT.”

The GW Cancer Center is committed to increasing colorectal cancer screening and has expertise in colorectal cancer information and research.

The GW Cancer Center contributed to the ACS Colorectal Cancer Survivorship Care Guidelines and recently launched a new colorectal cancer survivorship module in its popular e-learning series for primary care providers.

In addition to its provider education work, the GW Cancer Center created a social media toolkit to promote colorectal cancer screening in tandem with the launch of the “80% by 2018 Communications Guidebook: Effective Messaging to Reach the Unscreened.” GW Cancer Center staff have also presented about evaluating colorectal cancer social media campaigns as part of ongoing technical assistance efforts to cancer control professionals. The Center is also an active member of the Comprehensive Cancer Control National Partnership’s Colorectal Cancer Screening Workgroup.

Part of the 80% by 2018 goal is to leverage the energy of multiple and diverse partners to empower communities, patients and providers to increase screening rates.

The 80% by 2018 initiative consists of health care providers, health systems, communities, businesses, community health centers, government, non-profit organizations and patient advocacy groups who are committed to getting more people screened for colorectal cancer to prevent more cancers and save lives.

For more information or to learn about the 80% by 2018 pledge, visit http://nccrt.org/tools/80-percent-by-2018/.