New Options for Treatment of Colorectal Cancer: MD Anderson Education Meeting

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center will hold an educational session for colorectal cancer patients and their families and supporters on Sunday, March 26, 2006 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The free program is designed to answer questions that colorectal cancer patients have about the causes of colon cancer, new advances in colon cancer treatment, treating colon cancer after surgery, and recurrent cancer.  Speakers will discuss coping with a cancer diagnosis and how diagnosis and treatment impact the patient’s family.

• New Options for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer
• Sunday, March 26, 2006
• 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• M.D. Anderson Ambulatory Clinical Building (ACB)
• Room Number ACB1 2325
• 1220 Holcombe Blvd.
• Houston TX 77030

To register online.  If you have questions about the program, email Andy Wade.

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 10th, 2006
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »

Celebration of Life in Chicago

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

The Colon Cancer Alliance Voices of Chicago will be holding a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 11, 2005 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.  Dinner begins at 6:30.  The event is free.

• Celebration of Life
• Colon Cancer Alliance Voices of Chicago
• March 11, 2005
• 6:00 – 9:00 pm
• Parkway Ballroom
• 4455 South King Drive
• Chicago, IL 60653
• RSVP:  773–324–1521 or email  Candace Henley

 All of us have been touched in some way by cancer.  Come out and support the cancer community.

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 10th, 2006
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »

Watch Molly Skate: Schedule for Molly McMaster’s Colon Cancer Awareness Hockey

Molly McMaster, colon cancer survivor, continues to play with the United Hockey League with the  to raise awareness of colorectal cancer.  She began on February 26th, playing with the Adirondack Frostbite in Glens Falls and will complete a 14–city tour on March 26th in Roanoke, VA when the Roanoke Vipers play the Elmira Jackels.

Full schedule of McMaster– UHL hockey games.

McMaster was diagnosed with colon cancer on her 23rd birthday.  Co-founder and President of the Colon Club she is dedicated to raising awareness of colorectal cancer through what she calls “crazy projects.” 

Molly actively encourages young people with symptoms of colorectal cancer to get them checked out with a colonoscopy.  While the majority of people with colon cancer are over the age of 50, younger people can and do get the disease.  Finding it early and treating it promptly can cure it.   From the Colon Club web site is information about colorectal cancer symptoms.

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer   

The most common symptom is no symptom

Change in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, narrow stools)

Unexplained weight loss, vomitting, lack of energy, unexplained anemia

Blood (often not visible) in the stool (poop) or from rectum (bum)

Abdominal pain/discomfort (gas, bloating, cramps, feeling that the bowel doesn’t empty completely)

If you have two or more of these symptoms for more than a few weeks, see a doctor and get a colonoscopy!

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 9th, 2006
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Colorectal Cancer Networking group to meet in Philadephia

National Colorectal Cancer Month Event

The Wellness Community of Philadelphia will hold the first of a continuing series of monthly networking meetings for colorectal cancer patients, survivors, and their supporters on Saturday March 11 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.  This is an opportunity to share information and resources.

• Suzanne Morgan Center at Ridgeland
• Chamounix Drive, West Fairmount Park
• Philadelphia, PA 19131
• RSVP:  215–879–7733

For more information contact Theresa Donnelly, Outreach Director for the Wellness Community of Philadelphia.

support groups

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 7th, 2006
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 1 Comment »

C3 and NCI form partnership for clinical trial awareness

C3 is pleased to announce a new partnership with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to help increase patient and public awareness and understanding of cancer clinical trials. This collaboration stems from an initiative of the NCI-established Clinical Trials Working Group (CTWG) Last June, this group presented recommendations on the development, conduct, infrastructure, and support necessary for the optimal coordination and future progress  of NCI-supported clinical research. These recommendations include clinical research in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.  

C3’s involvement with NCI in this 1-year pilot effort will be to help increase general clinical trial awareness as well as the availability of specific colorectal cancer trials. In particular, the partnership is helping to raise awareness about six Phase III colorectal cancer trials.  These trials are part of an NCI agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This agreement states that for these trials, CMS will cover the patient care costs for Medicare participants through a National Coverage Determination. Study sponsors will provide coverage for research related costs. More information about these trials may be found here or by calling NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).

Posted by Judi Sohn on March 3rd, 2006
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »