Early Detection Task Force

Early Detection

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

The 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.

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:

Cassie Goodman, Cancer Early Detection Programs Manager cassie@nevadacancercoalition.org

Task Force Sub-Groups:

Breast Cancer Collaborative
Partners working to implement consistent recommendations and strategies to improve breast cancer screening rates.
Co-chairs: Dr. Chivonne Harrigal, Heather Reimer, Rhonda Johnson and Dawn Creech

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 and TBD (contact Cassie if you’re interested in co-chairing this collaborative)

Lung Cancer Collaborative
Partners working in cancer control and chronic disease who together will address lung cancer incidence, screening, survival and disparities.

Meeting Schedule:

• Early Detection Task Force meets bi-annually in January and July from 8:30 -10:30 a.m.
• Breast Cancer Collaborative meets quarterly in February, May, August, and November on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 2 - 3:30 p.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 March, June, September (1st Wednesday) and December 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

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: