2011 Dialogue for Action Pre-Conference Offers Variety of Activities

The Prevent Cancer Foundation is deep into agenda planning for the 13th annual Dialogue for Action on Colorectal Cancer Screening, which will take place March 23-25, 2011, in Baltimore, MD. This dynamic conference brings together leaders in the field of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and provides concrete tools to encourage action throughout the year that will lead to increased CRC screening in communities across the nation.

This year’s conference, entitled Dialogue for Action on Colorectal Cancer Screening: Prevention Now for a Healthier Tomorrow, will address preventive services in the changing health care system as health care reform shifts into high gear. Panels will include presentations on medical homes, community health centers, the impact of changes on nurses and nurse practitioners, ways to strengthen relationships between primary care professionals and specialists, electronic health records (EHRs) and current issues in screening modalities.

Pre-conference activities on Wednesday, March 23, will include:

• An expert panel and discussion on social media featuring ideas on how to keep the screening message in front of target audiences.
• A panel of colorectal cancer experts discussing basic cancer and screening information (and answering questions) during a session called “CRC Screening 101.” This is a great introduction for first-time conference attendees.
• An information-sharing session on activities to increase CRC screening in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
• A networking session for states to exchange ideas about statewide and local area screening programs, facilitated by Holly Wolf, PhD, MSPH, University of Colorado School of Public Health.
• A meeting of the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable Task Groups to continue their work from November’s Roundtable meeting.
• A “Movie Night” highlighting a variety of CRC screening PSAs, information pieces and promotions on video. This event will provide attendees with fresh ideas on how they might use visual media to encourage awareness and promote screening in their local areas.

The Foundation is committed to bringing together a diversity of professionals to dialogue about the issues of the day surrounding colorectal cancer screening. This dynamic pre-conference, in conjunction with a full conference agenda on March 24 and 25, will help move screening efforts forward for this very preventable cancer.