March, 2006
ArchivesColon cancer is diagnosed at an earlier age in smokers and drinkers
Current smoking and alcohol use reduces the average age of colorectal cancer diagnosis by nearly 8 years over the age at diagnosis for those who have never smoked or used alcohol. This effects was even greater for women, who were diagnosed 9.2 years earlier.
In a recent study, people with colorectal cancer who had never smoked or used alcohol were diagnosed with colorectal cancer at an average age of 71.3 years. However, those who were current smokers and also current drinkers, were first told they had colorectal cancer at age 62.6.
Reviewing a large database of 167.000 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer, researchers looked at tobacco us (current, past, or never) and alcohol use (current, past, or never) in both men and women. They also reviewed the local in the colon (proximal or distal) where the cancer was found.
Current smokers who were not drinkers were diagnosed 3.7 years earlier for men and 6.3 years earlier for women.
People who had used alcohol in the past year (current drinkers) but did not smoke were diagnosed about an average of 5 years earlier — for both men and women.
There appeared to be no difference in age of diagnosis for people who had used tobacco and alcohol in the past leading the researchers to believe that stopping smoking or alcohol use could reduce risk somewhat.
Alcohol and tobacco use was also associated with where the cancer was located, with more cancers found distally — nearer the end of the intestinal tract — in current smokers and drinkers. Women who had never smoked or used alcohol were more likely to have tumors in the proximal colon and perhaps should consider colonoscopy rather than sigmoidoscopy for screening.
Hermant. K. Roy and his colleagues at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University published their report in the Archives of Internal Medicine, March 27, 2006
Our report provides compelling evidence that modifiable risk factors such as alcohol and tobacco use are associated with a younger age at diagnosis and a predilection for distal CRCs.These data underscore the need for cessation of alcohol and tobacco use as an integral part of a CRC prevention program.If replicated in other data sets, our findings would argue that screening should be initiated at a younger age in alcohol and tobacco users. Moreover, these factors help define a subgroup at risk for proximal CRC (non drinking and non smoking women) among whom total colonoscopy rather than flexible sigmoidoscopy would be more appropriate. In the future, we envision the development of risk scores with exogenous (eg, alcohol and tobacco use, age, body mass index, diet, and calcium consumption) and hereditary factors to tailor an individual’s CRC screening program.
For news about the study, see CBS News Healthwatch, Reuters AlertNet., or Medpage Today.
Posted by Kate Murphy on March 29th, 2006
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 1 Comment »
Blood test of C-reactive protein does not appear to predict colorectal cancer risk in women
Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood is a marker for inflammation in the body. Because inflammatory bowel disease increases risk for colorectal cancer and long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs may reduce the risk, researchers wanted to know if CRP was related to colorectal cancer.
However, blood CRP doesn’t appear to increase colorectal cancer risk according to a report in the March 15, 2005 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Researchers measured C-reactive protein in the blood of 28,000 women enrolled in the Women’s Health Study at the beginning of the study. During the following 10 years, 169 women were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Those with low CRP levels were just as likely to have colorectal cancer and those with higher levels. There was also no relationship between CRP levels and tumor size or stage.
The research team warned that the study was limited to women and that a single baseline test of CRP might not adequately reflect inflammation status.
A similar study of men in Finland reported in Cancer Research in February 2005 did find a relationship between baseline C-reactive protein levels and colorectal cancer. Men with the highest levels of CRP were nearly 3 times as likely to have colorectal cancer than those with the lowest levels. CRP had a stronger influence on colorectal cancer risk for lean men than for those with higher body mass index.
The Annals of Internal Medicine also provides an explanation of the research for patients.
c-reactive protein increased risk of colorectal cancer
Posted by Kate Murphy on March 26th, 2006
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
New Options for Treatment of Colorectal Cancer meeting at M.D. Anderson
An educational meeting for cancer patients and their caregivers will be held on Sunday, March 26 at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Leading oncology experts will answer questions about the newest advances in colorectal cancer treatment, how a cancer diagnosis impacts the family, and living with a colorectal cancer diagnosis. Registration and parking are free.
- New Options for Treatment of Colorectal Cancer
- Sunday, March 26, 2005
- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Cancer
- Ambulatory Clinical Building (ACB)
- 1220 Holcombe Blvd.
- Houston, TX 77030
Registration form and a map to the meeting location is online.
Posted by Kate Murphy on March 25th, 2006
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Molly McMaster interview scheduled for ESPN2
Molly McMaster, the young colon cancer survivor, who has been skating with the United Hockey League to raise awareness of colorectal cancer, will be interviewed on ESPN2’s Cold Pizza today, March 23rd. Cold Pizza airs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the McMaster segment is planned for approximately 11:30. The interview will rerun in two hours.
McMaster has been on the ice with twelve United Hockey League teams this March and will finish her challenge this weekend when the Elmira Jackels face the Roanoke Valley Vipers at the Roanoke Civic Center. Her appearances are part of The UHL Cross Checks Colon Cancer.
Posted by Kate Murphy on March 23rd, 2006
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Scope it Out 5K Run/Walk for Colon Cancer Awareness
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
The second annual Scope it Out 5K Run/Walk for Colorectal Cancer Awareness will be held on Saturday, March 25th in West Potomac Park in Washington DC. beginning a 8:00 in the morning.
Runners and walkers can register before the race online or by downloading and mailing a registration form. In-person registration is available on Friday, March 24th from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. at Pacers in Arlington, VA. There is no registration on the day of the race. Race t-shirts and packets can be picked up at Pacers or at the race site beginning at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Scope it Out is sponsored by the Charles A. Kraenzle Colon Cancer Foundation in memory of Charles Kraenzle, who died of colon cancer on August 14, 2002. The Foundation is committed to preventing colorectal cancer.
We are holding this race in honor of Charles A. Kraenzle, his love of sports, and will to live. We believe this race can make a life-saving difference in the lives of others.
Come out and run or walk. And get a colonoscopy at age 50 (or age 40 if you have a family history.)
Posted by Kate Murphy on March 22nd, 2006
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
