Colon cancer survivor Suzanne Lindley featured in national magazine

Suzanne Lindley, who has lived with advanced colon cancer for nine years, is featured in the current issue of All You magazine.

Writing her own story, Suzanne says, “Cancer makes me thankful for every moment.”

Told nine years ago that she had colon cancer that could not be treated and that she had at most six months to live, Suzanne despaired at first. Then, discovering an Internet support list, she met another patient with stage IV colon cancer who told her that she shouldn’t be planning her death, but finding a doctor who would give her some hope. She writes that she owes her life to Shelly Weiler, who told her that he wouldn’t die without a fight and neither should she.

Since then she’s been in active treatment almost constantly, finding new treatments as old ones failed. She moved to the country where she could have horses to ride and a special life with her daughters and husband.

She says that cancer has been a journey of self-discovery for her.

I’ve changed a lot since my diagnosis, and I think it’s simply because I’m thankful for every moment. Early on, we decided to stay in the country, and we’ve been so happy here. We know everyone in our town, and I even ran a café for a year. Before cancer, I used to be timid and afraid. Now we saddle up the horses when the moon is full and ride down to the lake.

She’s come to realize the power that her cancer story has to inspire change and to help others. She writes,

I’ve become aware of the power my experience has to create change. I’ve told my story more than a dozen times in Congress to help lobby for cancer research and treatment funding, and I’m now involved in several advocacy groups. Knowing that I’ve given people new avenues for hope has made the time I spend living even more meaningful. Meanwhile, I’ll continue to ride horses, dance, fight and hope for the cure around the next corner.”

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 2nd, 2008
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | 2 Comments »

C3 Submits Comment on ESAs to FDA Advisory Committee

By Nancy Roach, Chair, C3 Board of Directors

C3 has submitted comment to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Oncology Drug Advisory Committee (ODAC), recommending that FDA implement a Special Restriction Distribution Program for Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs), to maximize patient safety and ensure the rapid collection of patient information.

ESAs, better known under brand names, Procrit, Epogen and Aranesp, were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the need for blood transfusions and have been used widely to aid with chemotherapy-induced anemia. Research results have indicated that higher doses of ESAs could actually cause a patient’s cancer to grow faster, and increase mortality, pointing out the need for future research to nail down the risk/benefit ratio of ESA use.

C3, in partnership with other advocacy organizations, has been working with FDA and ESA manufacturers (Amgen and Johnson & Johnson) to ensure that patients are helped, not harmed, by these supportive care drugs.

ODAC will be meeting on March 13, 2008 to discuss new research findings, future research plans and the current clinical situation. Carlea Bauman, C3 President, will speak during the open public hearing. In addition, C3 has submitted comments identifying questions such as:

• What is the plan for answering the question of whether ESAs have a tumor-promoting effect?
• What is the plan for answering the question of whether ESAs provide patient benefit when dosed according to the FDA label?
• What is the appropriate clinical use of ESAs pending the answers to these questions?

Ultimately, C3 recommends that ESA use be closely monitored, similar to the way that thalidomide use is monitored.

For additional information, see:

• www.ESAFacts.org presented by the Marti Nelson Cancer Foundation
• Briefing information from the May 10, 2007 ODAC meeting

Disclosure: C3 believes in fully disclosing sources of financial support, per our disclosure policy which can be viewed here. In 2006 and 2007, C3 received funding from Amgen in the form of a charitable donation. Since the May 2007 Oncology Drug Advisory Committee (ODAC) meeting, C3 has met with Amgen and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) to increase our understanding of these issues and express our concerns. J&J held a meeting on February 19, 2008 in Washington, DC, and paid the travel expenses of a C3 Board member so that she could attend the meeting.

Posted by Nancy Roach on March 1st, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

March is here!  And we’re taking time to focus on colorectal cancer — prevention, screening, research, what’s new and what must be done to wipe out this disease that kills nearly 50,000 Americans each year and more than 630,000 people around the world.

We’ll run and walk this month, hold seminars, go to meetings, put stories on TV, talk to Congress.  Some of us will have a colonoscopy or do a fecal occult blood test.

We’ll wear blue bracelets and pin the Blue Star of Hope on our shirt collars.

We’ll be hopeful because we are making progress and sad because too many of our friends are dying.  We’ll remember colorectal cancer fighters who aren’t here this March.

What can we do during this month?

Get screened if we’re not screened and get our families and friends screened. 

Work to get slipping funding for colorectal cancer research restored and increased.  Research cures cancer!

Pull down the financial barriers to colorectal cancer screening so that every Butt is Covered.

Welcome to March.  Spread the word.

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 1st, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »