Priority Teams
Through engagement in Priority Teams (PTs), ACS NBCRT members are able to share best practices about breast cancer screening, identify needs or opportunities required to support the breast cancer fighting community, and to design and develop activities and resources that directly address gaps in breast cancer screening delivery, programs, research, or advocacy.
ACS NBCRT Priority Teams Set Focus for 2025
The American Cancer Society National Breast Cancer Roundtable (ACS NBCRT) Priority Teams have set their top priorities for 2025, shaping the course of our collaborative work in the coming year. These focus areas will drive strategic initiatives, partnerships, and resource development to advance equitable breast cancer care and improve patient outcomes.
Risk Assessment, Screening, Risk Reduction, & Early Diagnosis (“Early Action”)
The Early Action Priority Team is dedicated to improving screening and early detection efforts. In 2025, the team will focus on:
- Best Practices on Addressing Barriers to Screening – Identifying and sharing proven strategies to increase screening uptake, particularly in underserved communities.
- Dense Breast Tissue Awareness and Education – Enhancing patient and provider education on the implications of dense breast tissue and its impact on breast cancer detection.
- Out-of-Pocket Cost Reduction for Supplemental Screening – Exploring strategies to minimize financial barriers to additional screening services for patients.
- Screening Guidelines Messaging – Ensuring that the latest breast cancer screening guidelines are communicated effectively to patients, providers, and health systems.
Clinical Trials Priority Team
The Clinical Trials Priority Team will continue its efforts to enhance diversity, accessibility, and awareness in breast cancer clinical research. Their 2025 priorities include:
- Continuing Clinical Trials Work in the Current Policy Landscape – Addressing evolving regulatory and policy considerations impacting breast cancer clinical trials.
- Making the Case for Clinical Trials Navigation – Advocating for patient navigation programs that help individuals understand and access clinical trials.
- Evaluation of Existing Tools for Trials – Assessing and optimizing tools currently in use to enhance trial recruitment, participation, and retention.
- Building Trust in Science – Strengthening community engagement and fostering confidence in clinical research through transparent communication and education.
Additionally, the Clinical Trials Priority Team will be amplifying member organizations’ clinical trials initiatives, ensuring broad visibility and impact for ongoing research efforts.
Access to Treatment Priority Team
The Access to Treatment Priority Team will focus on key strategies to improve timely and equitable care in 2025:
- Evidence-Based Strategies to Reduce Delays in Diagnosis and Treatment – Exploring best practices, such as payment guidelines for hospitals, to minimize delays in care.
- Promising/Practical Ideas to Address SDOH – Identifying solutions for social determinants of health, including transportation, child care, and financial support, to improve treatment access.
- Improved Access to Screening and Diagnosis for Women Under 40 – Advocating for expanded screening and diagnostic services for younger women at risk.
- Clarity Around Screening Recommendations for Patients and Providers – Ensuring that healthcare providers and patients receive clear, accurate guidance on screening recommendations.
Support & Wellness Services Priority Team
The Support & Wellness Services Priority Team will focus on key strategies to enhance survivorship and patient well-being in 2025:
- Identify Post-Treatment Wellness and Follow-Up Testing/Screening Needs – Assessing the needs of survivors and ensuring appropriate follow-up care.
- Checklist of Essential Support & Wellness Resources for Patients and Caregivers – Developing a comprehensive resource list to guide patients and their families.
- Promote Supportive Care Services, Palliative Care, and Referral Resources – Enhancing awareness and access to supportive services for patients throughout their cancer journey.
- Provider Education on Survivorship and Wellness – Ensuring healthcare providers are well-equipped to support long-term patient wellness.
- Evaluate Insurance Coverage and Recommend Improvements – Reviewing gaps in insurance coverage and advocating for policy changes to support comprehensive care.
Get Involved
- The ACS NBCRT Priority Teams will be meeting every two months to advance these initiatives. If you’re an ACS NBCRT member and interested in contributing to these efforts, you can join a Priority Team and collaborate with peers committed to making a difference. Fill out this form to get started!
- If you’re particularly passionate about one of the focus areas above, consider joining an Advisory Committee, where members meet monthly to drive forward specific tasks, deliverables, and events. Interested? Email us!
- Finally, do any of these priorities align with the work being done at your organization? Let’s collaborate! Email us to set up a meet & greet and explore how we can amplify each other’s efforts in the fight against breast cancer.
We look forward to a productive and impactful 2025!