Who We Are: The Cancer Task Force (CTF) is a community coalition working to reduce the prevalence of cancer in Catawba County. Partners include hospitals, healthcare providers, human services agencies, the faith community, civic organizations, and the American Cancer Society. Current initiatives are funded by the American Cancer Society’s Priority Populations Grant program and Catawba County Health Partners, a nonprofit organization managed by Catawba County Public Health. Supporting partners include Catawba Valley Medical Center and Frye Regional Medical Center.

• Colorectal cancer death rates among all populations in Catawba County – men, women, whites and minorities – are significantly higher than state and national averages.
• If found early, the five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is over 90%; currently, 39% of these cancers are found at this stage.

• Although the total number of affected individuals is low, prostate death rates for minority men are trending much higher than those for white men in Catawba County.
• The lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer is 1 in 6 for white men and 1 in 4 for black men.

• Partnering with the American Cancer Society’s Priority Populations grant initiative to conduct educational forums regarding colon cancer risk factors, prevention, and the importance of screening.
• Conducting educational forums for men about the importance of discussing prostate cancer screening with their physician.
• Recruiting and celebrating survivors, who help make it easier to talk openly about colon and prostate cancer.
• Determining how to improve access to expensive cancer screenings, such as colonoscopies.

• Cancer Task Force Fact Sheet
• American Cancer Society