Effects of colorectal cancer — four years later

Most people report doing well four years after treatment for colorectal cancer, according to a study that asked them about physical and emotional problems.  Fatigue was the most frequently reported problem with 1 in 4 survivors bothered by it.

In general the symptoms former patients reported were not much different than those experienced by the general population.

Fourteen percent reported diarrhea, 7 percent had constipation.

Reported symptoms were more likely in those patients who had radiation therapy or an ostomy.  Reductions in physical activity were reported more often in those who had radiation treatment — 30 percent versus 10 percent of those who didn’t have radiotherapy.

Some survivors attributed health problems to their cancer treatment, including 24 percent who "worried about health", 19 percent who had "physical discomfort", and 15 percent who reported limitations to their activities.

474 people, treated in 1998, were asked about their current symptoms.  Seventy percent were treated for colon cancer, the other thirty percent had rectal cancer treatment.

Dr. Eric Schneider and colleagues wrote,

Among colorectal cancer survivors the prevalence of symptoms at 4 years was low and relatively comparable to published estimates for the general population, but some survivors continue to attribute health effects to cancer or its treatment.

SOURCE: Schneider et al, Cancer, Volume 110, Issue 9, November 1, 2007.

Posted by Kate Murphy on January 14th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »

Colonoscopy coaches help fearful patients keep appointments

When patients scheduled for a colonoscopy are contacted by phone by someone who’s already been through the experience, they are twice as likely to keep their appointment.

Researchers trained five peer coaches, who had had the procedure themselves, to contact patients who were a risk not to keep their colonoscopy appointment.  The coaches learned about communication, the biology of colon cancer, screening methods, and potential barriers to colonoscopy including fear and not understanding the colon cleansing preparation.

Patients in the study had missed many medical appointments in the past and were scheduled for a first colonoscopy.  To see what might improve the chances that they would come for the colonoscopy, half were randomized to receive a phone call from a trained peer counselor, half received a brochure about colonoscopy in the mail.

Seventy percent of those who received telephone support from the coaches kept their appointment.  Fifty-eight percent of those who received the brochure showed up for the test.  Less than half (forty-eight percent) of those who refused any support actually came for the exam.

During the call, eighty percent of the study participants said that the support was "very helpful" and most appreciated having insight from someone who had already been through the experience.  They also said that they learned more than their doctors had told them.

Barbara Turner MD and her colleagues wrote,

For patients who often fail to keep appointments, peer coach support appears to promote colonoscopy attendance more than an educational brochure.

SOURCE: Turner et al, Journal of General Internal Medicine, Volume 23, Number 1, January 2008.

A article about the study appears on Medical News Today, January 8, 2008

Posted by Kate Murphy on January 13th, 2008
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2008 Presidential Primary Schedule

JANUARY 2008
• January 3: Iowa (caucuses)
• January 5: Wyoming (GOP caucuses)
• January 8: New Hampshire (primary)
• January 15: Michigan
• January 19: Nevada (precinct caucuses), South Carolina (R primary)
• January 26: South Carolina (D primary)
• January 29: Florida

FEBRUARY 2008
• February 1: Maine (R)
• February 5: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado (caucuses), Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho (D), Illinois, Kansas (D), Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico (D), New York, North Dakota (caucuses), Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah
• February 9: Louisiana, Kansas (R)
• February 10: Maine (D caucuses)
• February 12: District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia
• February 19: Hawaii (D), Washington, Wisconsin

MARCH 2008
• March 4: Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont
• March 8: Wyoming (D)
• March 11: Mississippi

APRIL 2008
• April 22: Pennsylvania

MAY 2008
• May 6: Indiana, North Carolina
• May 13: Nebraska (primary), West Virginia
• May 20: Kentucky, Oregon
• May 27: Idaho (R)

JUNE 2008
• June 3: Montana, New Mexico (R), South Dakota

AUGUST 2008
• August 25-28: Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado

SEPTEMBER 2008
• September 1-4: Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota

Posted by Joe Arite on January 13th, 2008
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Navigating Life After Cancer: Free Seminar for Patients and Families

The first in a series of Living Well with Cancer programs Navigating Life After Cancer: A Road Map for the New Normal will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at the Washington Cancer Center.

The free seminar begins with a continental breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and will address physical, psychological, financial, and spiritual issues that cancer patients face after their treatment ends.

There is no charge for the program but registration is required.

Register online or call 202-877-DOCS

• Navigating Life after Cancer
• January 26, 2008
• 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• Washington Cancer Center
• Navigating the New Normal
  • Brenda Hubbard RN, Oncology Nurse
• Navigating Insurance and Employment Issues
  • Patricia Smith Esq, Attorney

The program sponsors write,

After surviving cancer, you are left with many questions about self-identity.Who was I?Who am I?Where am I going? Although you may feel that you are ready to put the cancer behind you, it is possible that your emotional recovery may be just beginning. Navigating through life after cancer can be difficult, specifically from a physical, psychological, financial and spiritual perspective. Understanding your options to follow-up care is important in helping you navigate toward a “new normal” in your life after cancer

The program will be held in the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NHR) auditorium on the campus of Washington Hospital Center, 102 Irving Street NW, Washington D.C.  Parking in the Blue Garage will be validated.

Posted by Kate Murphy on January 12th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »

Clinton and McCain on top in New Hampshire

Senator Hilary Clinton (D-NY) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) came out on top in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday night. After a difficult time in Iowa the two Senators bounced back and won the important Northeast primary.

All the candidates continue their fight for the coveted nomination of their respected parties. With the very short primary season in full gear it is still anyone’s ball game.

The race is close and is expected to remain that way for foreseeable the future. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA) remain in the lead, but as the saying goes…”nobody knows what tomorrow will bring.”

Posted by Joe Arite on January 10th, 2008
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | No Comments »