Anemia present in about half of CRC patients with right-sided colon cancer

Should the presence of iron deficiency anemia be part of the decision-making as to whether to examine the entire colon when patients have symptoms of colorectal cancer?

Researchers reviewed hemoglobin levels for 194 patients who had surgery for colon cancer in right-hand or ascending portion of the colon (*right hemicolectomy*). 44% of men and 57% of women met definitions for anemia. Even when less a stringent definition of “low hemoglobin” were used, not all patients were found to be anemic.

It is not possible to rule out right-sided colon cancer if symptomatic patients are not anemic, and a full examination of the colon with colonoscopy is essential when patients have symptoms of colorectal cancer. At the same time, unexplained anemia may be a sign of right-sided colon cancer and should also be evaluated with colonoscopy.

Study results appear in the November 2005 issue of [Colorectal Disease](http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/cdi/2005/00000007/00000006/art00010) The authors concluded,

Anaemia is a poor predictor of right-sided colon cancers and cannot be used as an effective investigative tool in symptomatic patients.

Posted by Kate Murphy on October 28th, 2005
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »

Full-fat dairy products may reduce colorectal cancer risk

Women in Sweden who had 4 or more servings a day of full-fat dairy products (whole milk, cheese, butter, full-fat yogurt, cream, and butter) had a little less than half the risk of colorectal cancer than women who had less than 1 daily serving.

Over 60,000 women participating in the Swedish Mammography Cohort were had diets assessed when they first entered the study in the years froom 1987 through 1990 and again in 1997. With nearly 15 years of follow-up there were 798 cases of colorectal cancer. Adjusting for age and other variables affecting risk, the ratio of rates of colorectal cancer for women who consumed hight-fat dairy compared to those who did not was 0.59.

Researchers speculated that this was due to the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in dairy products, a potential anti-carcinogen.

Susanna C Larsson and colleagues from the Division of Nutritional Epidemiology in the National Institute of Environmental Medicine at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm reported their results in the [American Journal of Clinical Nutrition](http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/82/4/894), October 2005.

Posted by Kate Murphy on October 27th, 2005
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 1 Comment »

Trauma to Triumph — colorectal cancer survivor Eddie Leigh speaks in Cincinnati and Philadelpha

[Eddie Leigh](http://www.edwardleigh.com/default.cfm), motivational speaker and colon cancer survivor, will speak with patients, survivors, and their loved ones about coping successfully with colorectal cancer during two upcoming **Trauma to Triumph** programs in Cincinnati and Philadelphia.

A professional motivational speaker, Leigh now incorporates colon cancer awareness messages in much of his work reminding his listeners of the importance of colorectal cancer screening. Since his diagnosis with colon cancer, Eddie has used humor to cope with his own cancer and to encourage others in dealing with their own. He says,

“Just because cancer enters our lives does not mean joy has to exit”.

**Trauma to Triumph** is scheduled for Cincinnati

+ Date: Thursday, November 10, 2005
+ Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
+ Location: [Vontz Center for Molecular Studies](http://vontz.uc.edu/)
+ 3235 Eden Ave, Cincinnati, OH
+ Treatment information and questions answered by Dr. Syed Ahmad, Dr. Malek Safa, and
Debbie Saldono
+ Register by calling 513-558-8624

[Download and print](http://c-three.org/pdf/Pfizer-FinalOHflyer.pdf) complete information about the Cincinnati program on November 10.

**Philadelphia**

+ Date: Wednesday, November 16, 2005
+ Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
+ Location: [Loews Philadelphia Hotel](http://www.loewshotels.com/hotels/philadelphia/default.asp)
+ 1200 Market Street, Washington Room
+ Philadelphia, PA 19107
+ Treatment information and questions answered by Dr. Edith Mitchell
+ Register by calling 800-281-7560

[Download and print](http://c-three.org/pdf/Pfizer-FinalPAflyer.pdf) complete information about the Philadelphia program on November 16.

Light refreshments and educational materials will be available at both programs.

Eddie Leigh’s programs are co-sponsored by the [Colon Cancer Alliance](http://ccalliance.org/), [Pfizer Oncology](http://www.pfizeroncology.com/default.aspx), [University of Cincinnati Cancer Center](http://uccancerprograms.uc.edu/), and the Medical Society of Eastern Pennsylvania.

Posted by Kate Murphy on October 26th, 2005
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 2 Comments »

The Colon Cancer Survivor’s Guide — survivor Curt Pesman shares his experiences

Curt Pesman, author of *The Colon Cancer Survivor’s Guide* will share his struggle with stage III colon cancer and its aftermath onThursday evening, October 27th in Kansas City, Kansas. Colorectal cancer patients and survivors and their families are invited to attend the free program.

Pesman is a health journalist and magazine writer for such publications as *Esquire* and *Self*. After his diagnosis of colon cancer four years ago, he wrote *The Colon Cancer Survivor’s Guide* to help others facing the disease.

+ Date: Thursday, October 27, 2005
+ Time: 6:00p.m - 8:30p.m.
+ Location: [Holiday Inn](http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/mkcm)
+ 7420 Shawnee Mission Parkway
+ Overland Park, KS 66202 (just outside of Kansas City)
+ Dr. Chung-Tsen Hsueh, medical oncologist with The University of Kansas Hospital will discuss the latest medical treatments and answer questions.
+ Register by calling 913-588-1227

You can [download and print a flyer](http://c-three.org/pdf/Pfizer-FinalKSflyer.pdf) with complete information about the program.

The program is co-sponsored by the [Colon Cancer Alliance](http://ccalliance.org/), [Pfizer Oncology](http://www.pfizeroncology.com/default.aspx), and the [University of Kansas Hospital](http://www.kumc.edu/).

Posted by Kate Murphy on October 26th, 2005
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 1 Comment »

NCI funds multidisciplinary projects to study obesity and cancer

NCI has awarded $54 million in grants to four centers to explore the interaction between obesity and cancer. The new initiative will studythe integration of diet, exercise, and weight and its impact on the development of cancer.

In an [news release](http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/TREC) on October 11, 2005, NCI announced the grants as part of Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer (TREC). Robert Croyle, director of NCI’s Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, explained,

TREC will bring together outstanding scientists from many disciplines. Together these experts will answer critical questions that will help guide our nation’s public health efforts. NCI is determined to help avoid an increase in cancer deaths in the 21st century due to obesity like the one caused by tobacco in the 20th century.

Funded centers include

+ **Case WesternReserve University** in Cleveland will concentrate on cellular mechanisms and clinical research focusing on obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and colorectal cancer.
+ **Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center** in Seattle will explore diet and exercise and their impact on breast and colorectal cancer.
+ **University of Minnesota** in Minneapolis will study causes of obesity and its prevention in youth and families.
+ **University of Southern California** in Los Angeles will study physiologic, metabolic, genetic, behavioral, and environmental influences on obesity and cancer risk in minority children.

The Fred Hutchinson Center Center will serve as the coordinating center for the initiative providing communication, data-sharing, and collaboration among the projects.

Posted by Kate Murphy on October 26th, 2005
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »