Surgery in an NCI-designated cancer center makes a difference in survival

Patients who had surgery for colon or rectal cancer in an NCI-designated cancer center were less likely to die immediately after their operation and also had better long-term survival.  Both rectal and colon cancer patients were about twice as likely to die in the 30 days after surgery if their surgery was done outside of an NCI centers.

Emily C. Paulson and her colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania analyzed colorectal cancer surgery information from the SEER-Medicare database between 1996 and 2003. They identified nearly 34,000 people who had colectomies and 8,500 rectal cancer surgery patients.

They found that risk of death after colon surgery was 6.7 percent in non-NCI hospitals and 3.2 percent in NCI centers.  Rectal cancer patients died at a 5 percent rate in non-NCI hospitals compared to 1.9 percent in NCI centers.

Long term, survival was 15 percent better when patients were treated in an NCI center.  This difference was particularly true for stage II and III colon cancer.

The National Cancer Institute designates 63 cancer centers across the United States where multidisciplinary clinical treatment collaborates with research to improve outcomes for people with cancer.  Patients can locate an NCI cancer center in their community on the NCI website.

In an abstract presented at the annual meeting of the American Surgical Association, Paulson wrote,

NCI designation is associated with lower risk of postoperative death and improved long-term survival. Possible factors responsible for these benefits include surgeon training, multidisciplinary care and adherence to treatment guidelines. Studies are underway to elucidate the factors leading to improved patient outcomes.

SOURCE:  Paulson et al. ASA 2008 Annual Meeting, NCI Designation Predicts Improved Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer Surgery.

Posted by Kate Murphy on April 29th, 2008
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FDA approves new drug to treat constipation from cancer pain drugs

The FDA has approved Relistor to treat constipation caused by drugs used to treat pain in patients with cancer and other advanced illness who are receiving palliative care. 

Morphine and similar opiate drugs slow bowel activity and lead to constipation which can be very difficult to manage.  The discomfort of constipation often leads patients to reduce pain medicines and suffer unnecessary pain.

Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) is an injection that is given under the skin and which blocks opiate action on the intestinal tract without interfering with pain relief. 

Approval was based on two randomized, double-blinded clinical trials in which patients on opiate drugs to control pain were given Relistor or a placebo.  In both studies about 60 percent of patients on Relistor had a bowel movement within 4 hours of treatment compared to about 15% of those getting a placebo.

Side effects include abdominal pain, gas, nausea, dizziness, and possible diarrhea.  Patients and their caregivers are cautioned that Relistor works quickly to produce a bowel movement to they need to be close to a bathroom.  One third of patients in the clinical trials had a bowel movement within 30 minutes of their Relistor injection.

Most patients in the trials had advanced cancer but some had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, Alzheimer’s disease, or AIDS.

Posted by Kate Murphy on April 26th, 2008
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National Minority Cancer Awareness Week

Friday brings to an end National Minority Cancer Awareness Week – a campaign first initiated by Congress in 1987 to bring awareness to the higher incidence rates of cancer in the racial and ethnic minority communities.

Colorectal cancer is a disease that has a greater mortality rate among minorities, especially within the African American and Hispanic communities.

Colorectal cancer will claim over 52,000 lives in 2008, making it the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. When Americans are screened according the American Cancer Society guidelines and diagnosed early, they have a 90% survival rate. Sadly, the truth is that fewer than 40% of patients are appropriately screened. One major reason for low screening rates is the lack of coverage for screenings and treatment.

If the majority of Americans age 50 or older were screened regularly for colorectal cancer, the death rate from this disease could fall by up to 80 percent.

The Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Act of 2007 (HR 1738) would establish a screening and treatment program administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and would authorize funding for grants to the states. The grants would be used to conduct programs to provide vital colon cancer screenings, information and follow-up services to those ages 50-64, with a focus on those most at risk, such as low-income, uninsured and underinsured men and women.

Take Action today and write your Members of Congress urging them to support this critical legislation.

Click here to contact your Members’ office directly through our site.

Posted by Joe Arite on April 25th, 2008
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Kentucky Governor Signs Colorectal Cancer Screening Bills

Governor Steve Besher signed into law two critical pieces of colorectal cancer legislation last week. House Bill 415, which would create colorectal cancer screening program at the Department of Health for uninsured individuals between the ages of 50 and 64 as well as others at high risk; and Senate Bill 96, which would require health benefit plans to provide coverage for colorectal cancer screenings.

C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition would like to thank Governor Beshear, the Kentucky Legislature and all of the hardworking colon and rectal cancer advocates in Kentucky who helped to pass this legislation.

To read more about this click here.

Posted by Dusty Weaver on April 24th, 2008
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GINA Passes

The Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA) passed in the Senate on Thursday with a vote of 95 – 0. Senator Coburn (R-OK), who had put a hold on the legislation, came to an agreement with his colleagues paving the way for the bill. GINA has had large support in the past, but has never managed to pass both houses in the same session.

The bill makes it illegal for health insurers to deny coverage or charge a higher rate or premium to an otherwise healthy individual found to have a potential genetic condition or genetic predisposition towards a disease or disorder. GINA also makes it illegal for employers to use an employee’s genetic information when making hiring, firing, placement, or promotion decisions.

GINA now now goes to the House, which passed it by a wide margin last year and is expected to do so again.

President Bush has indicated that he will sign the bill.

To read The Hill Article click here

Posted by Joe Arite on April 24th, 2008
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | 1 Comment »