Keynote speaker John Polanowicz, Massachusetts HHS Secretary, talks with Michael McCalla, MSHA, at a break.

The Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Dialogue for Action on Cancer Screening: Hitting the Targets took place in Baltimore on March 20 – 22, 2013. Over 200 attendees from diverse health professions came from 35 states and the District of Columbia, six tribes and Urban Indian Health Organizations and Japan to be part of this lively and dynamic interactive conference on access, quality and cost of health care.

Since the conference, we’ve heard many positive comments from attendees by email and phone and in our online survey (with about a 50% response rate).

Here are some of the comments shared by attendees:

“This is always my favorite conference to attend all year and wish others emulated it in both style and substance. Even the small details of food choices matching the mantra of healthier choices and behaviors is emphasized.”

“It was well worth the investment of time and money!”

“The speakers were experts in their fields—thank you. All levels of the diverse audience benefited from the information. The conference certainly inspired innovative thought and debate. This is what generates great healthcare quality!”

From left: moderator Cliff Goodman, PhD, & Seiji Hayashi, MD, MPH, Robin Yabroff, PhD, MBA, & Joe Lipscomb, PhD, discuss access, quality & cost of health care.

Here are the top three reasons for coming to the Dialogue:

1. Informative Presentations: “Information on current trends, innovations and updates on cancer screening” was key to over 80% of attendees.
2. Networking Opportunities: “Networking” was named by over 64%; some also noted that speakers were very accessible. One attendee wrote, “It was a wonderful networking opportunity. I am coming away with some good tools to implement in our prevention program.”
3. Expert Speakers: “Speakers on the agenda” was named as a draw by over 50%. One attendee commented that “the outstanding panels provided a wealth of information which proved useful in understanding the current changes which affect my job.”

Attendees plan to ‘keep the Dialogue going’ with actions on cancer screening that they plan to take after the Dialogue:

From left: Lillie Shockley, RN, MAS, & Jennifer Smith, PhD, MPH, share perspectives in a small-group discussion.

• Over half plan to implement change in their workplaces or communities
• Over 60% plan to contact colleagues they met at the Dialogue to discuss or collaborate on cancer screening activities

Check out the two-page overview of the 2013 Dialogue.

Since 1999, the focus of the Dialogue has been on colorectal cancer screening. This year, the Dialogue expanded to include mandated guidelines-driven screenings for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers, as well as screenings for skin, prostate and lung cancers. Continuing education credit is available for physicians, nursing professionals and certified health education specialists.

If you’re a professional working in cancer screening, put this on your calendar: March 20 – 21, 2014 (with March 19 as pre-conference day), and join us at the Dialogue next year! Send your ideas and suggestions for 2014 session topics and speakers to me at Karen.Peterson@preventcancer.org.

Tim Byers, MD, MPH, an expert in cancer prevention research from the University of Colorado School of Public Health, will moderate a lively and thoughtful discussion among four thought leaders on cancer screening who know this issue broadly and deeply from diverse perspectives. We are fortunate to have these panelists:

• David F. Yankelevitz, MD, is professor of radiology at The Mt Sinai Hospital, an expert in the diagnosis of early lung cancer and an initiator of the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP) which enrolled more than 50,000 people in 8 countries.
• Stephen Taplin, MD, MPH, Branch Chief of the Process of Care Research Branch at the National Cancer Institute, is an expert in the field of cancer screening, having built his research career around problems he saw in day-to-day practice as a primary care physician and as head of a breast cancer screening program.
• Robert A. Smith, PhD, is an epidemiologist and Director of Cancer Screening at the National Office of the American Cancer Society and has been involved in the development of numerous cancer screening guidelines.
• Quyen Ngo-Metzger, MD, MPH, recently appointed as the Scientific Director for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, serves as the main government lead to provide guidance to the USPSTF and interacts with the public and other agencies regarding the work of the Task Force.

Attendees will have the opportunity to join this discussion and others at the 2013 Dialogue conference which will be held March 21 and 22, with pre-conference sessions on March 20.

The Prevent Cancer Foundation’s annual Dialogue is attended by the diversity of healthcare professionals involved in early detection of cancer, and it provides concrete tools and effective strategies for use in both clinical and public health settings. Since 1999, the screening focus of the Dialogue has been on colorectal cancer. New this year, the 2013 Dialogue is expanding to include breast, cervical and colorectal cancers, as well as skin, prostate and lung cancers. Continuing education credit is available for physicians, nursing professionals and certified health education specialists.

Register now for the 2013 Dialogue.

We recently asked the 2012 participants about their post-conference activities. The great majority of respondents (84%) reported that they shared information from the 2012 conference with colleagues or family members. Here are some examples of other effective action steps they have taken:

• “We have stepped up our patient navigation program, hiring 2 new navigators and improving our system to identify all first-degree relatives of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and offering them screening examinations,” reported a nonprofit participant from Alaska.
• “We implemented an IT system to help us identify the patients in need of CRC screening and provide interventions,” responded a participant from a nonprofit group in Boston.
• Other organizations implemented quality measures and strategies to decrease no-show rates. These organizations ranged from departments of health and community health groups to hospitals and cancer centers, serving both rural and urban populations.

The annual Dialogue conference is designed to engage a variety of professionals and provide concrete tools and effective strategies for use in both clinical and public health settings. Since 1999, the screening focus of the Dialogue has been on colorectal cancer. New this year, the 2013 Dialogue will expand to include issues related to breast, cervical and colorectal cancers, as well as content on skin, prostate and lung cancers.

The annual Dialogue conference offers continuing education credit for physicians, nursing professionals and certified health education specialists.

Register today for the 2013 conference!

This year an estimated 1,638,910 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer (Cancer Facts and Figures, 2012). More than 575,000 will die from the disease: that’s over 1,500 people a day!  Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the U.S., exceeded only by heart disease. However, up to 60 percent of cancer cases and more than 50 percent of cancer deaths are preventable – with the knowledge we have right now. Guidelines-driven screenings by health care professionals for some cancers can result in the discovery and removal of precancerous growths or the early detection of cancer, when it is most treatable. Barriers to appropriate cancer screening include lack of funding; limited provider time, resources, or staff; and concern about the capacity to provide follow-up care for people who need it but lack health care coverage. The goal of the Dialogue is to encourage professionals who are stakeholders in cancer screening to apply evidence-based screening policies, programs or practices to their communities and work environments. This requires focused and sustained efforts at both the national and local levels.

The 15^th in a series of annual national conferences, the 2013 Dialogue will build on the solid track record of the Dialogue for Action on Colorectal Cancer Screening and combine the broader theme of cancer screening with the best in cutting-edge presentations and activities that stimulate dynamic exchange of ideas and opportunities for collaboration among participants. The 2013 Dialogue will explore policy, program and practice/quality topics that include health care access, quality and cost; issues in screening guidelines; engagement of patients in their health care; and strategies to increase colorectal, cervical and breast cancer screening.

For more information on the Dialogue, visit www.dialogueforaction.org.

At the 2013 conference, participants will have opportunities to explore topics that include health care access, quality and cost; issues in screening guidelines; engagement of patients in their health care; and strategies to increase colorectal, cervical and breast cancer screening, and to be part of a lively exchange of ideas. Come to network with the diversity of cancer screening stakeholders committed to realizing the lifesaving potential of cancer screening for all communities:

• Primary Care Physicians (Internists, Family Physicians)
• Obstetrician/Gynecologists
• Gastroenterologists
• Dermatologists
• Surgeons
• Radiologists
• Oncologists
• Nurses and Nurse Practitioners
• Physician Assistants
• Quality Team Members in Hospitals, Insurance Companies, etc.
• Patient Navigators, Care Managers, Case Managers
• Health Services Researchers
• Health Educators
• Staff of Health and Human Services (NIH, CDC, CMS, IHS, AHRQ)
• Staff of State Health Departments
• Staff of Non-Profit Health Organizations
• Third-Party Payers
• Advocates and Survivors
• Administrators

We hope to see you in March! To learn more about the conference, click here.

Dialogue 2012 attendees discuss crc screening quality and cost.

The Dialogue for Action is a highly interactive conference that sparks a lively exchange of ideas, experiences and knowledge. Its goal is to provide people working in the field of CRC screening with recent developments in screening specifically and in the larger arenas of public health and preventive services and with concrete steps they can take to enhance their projects, programs and practices.

The conference began with a distinguished keynote panel on the quality and cost of health care in our future moderated by Susan Dentzer, editor-in-chief of Health Affairs, which was followed by sessions on what it will take to keep increasing screening rates and how the coming changes in paying for health care will affect primary care. Health care reform was a hot topic touched on by several speakers, including Ian Millhiser, JD, Center for American Progress, who discussed the importance of the oral arguments on the health care reform law before the Supreme Court.  Bob Baker, CRC and ulcerative colitis survivor and advocate, spoke passionately about the importance of cancer prevention and early detection as he shared his story and photos from the 4,000 mile cross-country bike ride he did to raise ostomy awareness. You can check out the entire 2012 agenda and many of the presentations by visiting www.dialogueforaction.org.

As part of the conference, the Foundation hosts the Cancer Prevention Laurels Awards Luncheon, co-sponsored by the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, to recognize and celebrate innovators and leaders in cancer prevention. Click here to read about this year’s award recipients.

Laurel Lifetime Achievement awardee Sidney Winawer, M.D. with Dialogue speaker Bob Baker, colorectal cancer survivor and advocate

Here are some of the enthusiastic comments shared by attendees:

• “Outstanding mixture of professionals from a variety of settings contributed to broad scope. Quality of speakers and posters was outstanding and most relevant.”
• “Appropriate topics and cutting edge issues. The speakers and facilitators did a great job”

Kicking off the 2012 Dialogue is a keynote panel of three dynamic experts who will dive into these complex issues as they share their thoughts on “Healthcare of the Future: Keeping Quality Up and Costs Down.” The panel will be moderated by Susan Dentzer, editor-in-chief of Health Affairs and former health analyst on the PBS News Hour. The speakers are:

Richard Baron, MD, is the Group Director, Seamless Care Models, at the Innovations Center at the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services Center (CMS). Before joining CMS in 2011, Dr. Baron practiced general internal medicine in the Philadelphia area.

Richard Snyder, MD, is Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Independence Blue Cross. He is also a board certified family practice physician.

Sanford Schwartz, MD, is a professor of medicine, healthcare management and economics and the Leon Hess Professor in Internal Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and Wharton School.  In addition to his academic appointments, he consults extensively in both public and private sectors. Photo credit: The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Following the individual presentations, Ms. Dentzer will moderate a discussion among the panelists, and then the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists.

For more information on the 2012 Dialogue for Action or past Dialogue conferences, visit www.dialogueforaction.org.

The Laurel was chosen because it is an ancient Roman symbol of tribute, honor, victory, merit and reward. To view a list of all past awardees, click here.

Awards will be given in these categories to recognize work in all areas of cancer prevention and early detection:

Cancer Prevention Laurel for National Leadership
Awarded to an individual who has demonstrated leadership in cancer prevention and early detection at the national level.

 Cancer Prevention Laurel for Innovative Programs
Awarded to an individual who has developed and implemented an innovative program in cancer prevention and early detection.

Cancer Prevention Laurel for Advocacy
Awarded to an individual whose personal passion for improving cancer prevention and early detection has resulted in positive change in the public, professional or political arena.

Last year’s recipients were Mary Doroshenk, MA, for National Leadership, Whitney Jones, MD, for advocacy and Sanja Percac-Lima, MD, PhD, DMD, for Innovative Programs. They are pictured above with Foundation president and founder, Carolyn Aldigé, at the 2011 Laurels Luncheon.

We look forward to the 2012 Dialogue for Action where we will recognize the dedication of individuals who are making a real difference in cancer prevention and early detection.

The Dialogue for Action is an informative, dynamic and interactive conference on CRC screening. Each year the Dialogue draws a diverse group of stakeholders committed to realizing the lifesaving potential of colorectal cancer screening. This group includes:

• Primary Care Physicians (Internists, Family Medicine Physicians, Obstetrician/Gynecologists)
• Gastroenterologists
• Surgeons
• Radiologists
• Oncologists
• Nursing Professionals
• Physician Assistants
• Community Health Workers
• Health Educators
• Staff of State Health Departments
• Staff of other Government Agencies
• Staff of Non-Profit Health Organizations
• Third-Party Payers
• Advocates and Survivors
• Researchers
• Administrators

We hope to see you in March! If you would like to know more benefits the Dialogue has for you, read my previous post by clicking here.

1. What impact could your findings have on preventing colon cancer and perhaps other cancers?

Obesity has been associated with many different types of cancers, including colorectal, breast, endometrial, liver and prostate. However, these studies are only associations and cannot prove that being obese per se is the cause, rather than say the poor eating habits and lack of exercise which led to it. Thus, demonstrating that intra-abdominal fat on its own is a causal contributor to colon cancer risk, and possibly other cancers as well, will be critically important to advancing our understanding of this disease. The goal will then be to successfully identify the important factor(s) linking obesity to colorectal and other cancers. Such information could have a very important clinical impact by providing an additional screening tool, which could be measured in blood, to identify those that might be at risk as well as to provide a therapeutic target for prevention and/or treatment. Most important, demonstrating causality should raise public awareness that weight control is a critical part of any strategy to reduce ones’ risk of being diagnosed with or dying from cancer.

2.  How has receiving a Prevent Cancer Foundation grant impacted your research?

Without the generous support of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the important studies which I am currently conducting would, frankly, not have been possible. To date, our results have been very exciting and supportive of our hypothesis that abdominal obesity is indeed a causal risk factor for colorectal cancer. These data will most certainly set the stage for more detailed studies to determine exactly what is it about intra-abdominal fat that raises cancer risk.

3. Why is it important to fund research in the field of cancer prevention and early detection?

The most effective approach to reducing cancer-related suffering and death is to better understand how  to prevent cancer from occurring in the first place. We now know that many cancer risk factors are in fact avoidable, with poor diet, physical inactivity, obesity and tobacco use among the major culprits. However, we still do not entirely understand all the ‘nuts and bolts’ of how some of these behaviors actually cause cancer. Likewise, we do not yet fully understand why, for example, obesity affects the risk of getting certain cancers more than others, and why these risks can be very different between men and women. If we are ever to ‘stamp out’ cancer, it is absolutely vital that we first understand how our behaviors can either exacerbate or mitigate our risks.

Click here to read more about Dr. Huffman’s research in Part I of this Researcher Q&A.