Hundreds of colorectal cancer screening experts, advocates, and thought leaders from across the US gather in Texas.
More than 240 colorectal cancer screening experts, advocates, and thought leaders from across the US recently convened in Houston, TX, for the American Cancer Society National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT) Annual Meeting.
It’s the first time the ACS NCCRT meeting was held in The Bayou City, and attendees hailed from more than 200-member organizations. Between Nov. 15-17, the diverse group shared ideas, innovations, and strategies for achieving the shared goal of reaching colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates of 80% in every community.
During the three-day meeting, presenters covered a wide range of topics including:
- The latest trends in CRC screening data,
- Actions to promote health equity and address screening disparities with targeted conversations on rural, LGBTQ, and the American Indian/Alaska Native populations,
- Updates on early-age onset disease,
- News on the CRC policy landscape, and
- Strategies for improving follow-up colonoscopy rates.
But the meeting wasn’t all business, as attendees also celebrated ACS Senior Vice President, Cancer Screening, Dr. Bob Smith’s 27-year tenure as ACS NCCRT vice chair. Dr. Smith is transitioning into a new role as ACS NCCRT senior scientific advisor. During his time as vice chair, he led many impactful efforts to tangibly and positively change policy and guidelines. The NCCRT would not be where it is today without his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment. Dr. Smith is pictured here, at right, receiving a plaque from ACS NCCRT Chair Steve Itzkowitz, MD.
David Lieberman, MD, also received the ACS NCCRT Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Lieberman, MD is professor of medicine, chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Oregon Health and Science University. He has contributed to huge strides in the fields of colorectal cancer genetics, screening, and treatment from his start in the 1980s to now.

Pictured above are members of the ACS NCCRT Steering Committee and ACS team members.

Much thanks to the ACS NCCRT team for making this happen, including Kaitlin Sylvester, Emily Bell, Aubree Thelen, Sarah Shafir, Bob Smith, Kathy Goss, and Laura Makaroff. Also, thank you to ACS and ACS CAN presenters Jennifer Hoque, Cecily Blackwater, Rebecca Dabbs, Priti Bandi, Rebecca Siegel, and Caroline Um. Pictured above are ACS and ACS CAN team members.
If you couldn’t attend, no problem! Slides and select recordings will be available on the ACS NCCRT website in December. Sign up for CRC News alerts to be the first to know when they are posted. Simply scroll to the bottom of the page and fill out the contact form.