Early Detection Task Force

Early Detection

GOAL: Increase early detection of cancers to reduce late-stage diagnosis.

The Prevention & Early Detection Task Force and its Collaboratives include partners across the state working together to increase the percentage of Nevadans screened for breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancers through education, policy, and systems changes that increase awareness for cancer risk factors and screening guidelines and improve equitable access to screening. Additional activities include decreasing the number of preventable cancers by educating people on how to reduce their risk.

Early Detection Objectives:

• Increase the percentage of adults screened for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers.
• Increase the percentage of identified smokers who report having been screened for lung cancer.

Staff Lead and Co-Chairs:

Lily Helzer, Prevention & Early Detection Programs Manager lily@nevadacancercoalition.org

Task Force Sub-Groups:

Breast Cancer Collaborative
Partners working to implement consistent recommendations and strategies to improve breast cancer screening rates. This collaborative no longer meets, but regular updates are sent to members to stay up-to-date on breast cancer related activities and news. If you'd like to join the email list, contact Lily.

Colorectal Cancer Collaborative
A statewide group of partners working to reduce barriers and increase education to improve colon cancer screening rates.
Co-chairs: Kimberly Johnson, Debbie Kawcak, and Rachel Handy

Lung Cancer Collaborative
Partners working in cancer control and chronic disease who together will address lung cancer incidence, screening, survival and disparities.
Co-chairs: Dr. Chivonne Harrigal and Shannon Proctor, E.D.

Meeting Schedule:

• Prevention & Early Detection Task Force meets quarterly on the 3rd Wednesday in January, April, August and November from 8:30 - 10 a.m.
• Colorectal Cancer Collaborative meets quarterly in January, April, July, and October on the 4th Thursday of the month from 8:30 – 10 a.m.
• Lung Cancer Collaborative meets quarterly in February, May, August and November on the second Wednesday of each month from 8:30 - 10 a.m.

Task Force and Collaborative Resources:

Early Detection Task Force Resources
Breast Cancer Collaborative Resources
Colorectal Cancer Collaborative Resources
Lung Cancer Collaborative Resources

Task Force Accomplishments:

Early Detection:

• Developed Paid Leave for Cancer Screenings Framework.
• Created Cancer Control Partnership with Nevada Medicaid MCOs.

Breast Cancer:

• Collaborated with healthcare professionals across the state to implement consistent screening recommendations.
• Launched the statewide Paint Nevada Pink campaign.
• Policy presence at Nevada Legislature.
• Reconvened Southern Collaborative in February 2021. 

Colorectal Cancer:

• Secured inflatable colons for both northern and southern Nevada outreach efforts.
• Recorded informational videos with partners during March of 2021.

Members & Organizations: