Urologic Cancer Increases Risk for Colorectal Cancer

A previous diagnosis of ureter or kidney cancer increases the risk for colorectal cancer, especially when the diagnosis was made before the age of 60.  In addition, colorectal cancer increases risk for certain urologic cancers.

Cancer in the ureter or renal pelvis (urothelial cancer) was most strongly associated with later colorectal cancer with only a small increased risk with diagnoses of bladder cancer or cancer in other parts of the kidney. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on May 14th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: colorectal cancer risk

FDA Needs More Money! Von Eschenbach Finally Admits

In a letter written to Congress, Andrew Von Eschenbach, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Chief, admits the agency needs an immediate infusion of $275 million.

Von Eschenbach’s request was made to Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, in a letter.

Presidential appointees rarely diverge so forcefully from the President’s own spending plans, or at least avoid doing so in writing. Dr. von Eschenbach’s action surprised agency observers and was taken as perhaps a sign of the President’s waning influence in the closing months of his presidency (The New York Times, May 14, 2008).

Earlier this year, President Bush requested Congress to appropriate $1.77 billion to the FDA in FY 09. This includes an increase of $50.7 million over FY 08. This increase is not even enough to cover salary increases at the agency.

The FDA has been plagued with criticism for approving contaminated food and drugs and just recently came under attack for not properly policing the Direct to Consumer Advertisements used by pharmaceuticals companies.

Last week, Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) offered an amendment to the FY 08 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill that would increase funding for the FDA by $275 million.

Advocates for increased food and drug oversight said they were thrilled with Dr. Von Eschenbach’s letter. “We are one step closer to an FDA that has the resources to serve the needs of American consumers,” said Caroline Smith DeWaal, Food Safety Director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest (The New York Times, May 14, 2008).

Posted by Joe Arite on May 14th, 2008
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | No Comments »
Tags: Congress, FDA

Welcome to the new FightColorectalCancer.org!

Welcome to our newly redesigned website!

More than just a fresh coat of paint, we’ve listened to your comments over the past 3 years and we’ve made the C3 site better than ever.

We hope you find the new site easier to navigate and search. You’ve come to rely on us for the most up-to-date research and treatment news, as well as the latest on what you can do to help us win the fight against colorectal cancer. That is not changing. In fact, we’ve made it easier than ever for you to subscribe to the latest site updates by RSS or email.

Be sure to explore the expanded Patient Information section. If there’s a particular term you’re looking for, you can now search our site from every page.

We’d like to thank Erik J. Barzeski and ACS (not that ACS) for their technical and design expertise which helped make this new site possible.

Please be patient with us as the site changes to the new look & feel. Let us know what you think (or any problems that you find) by leaving us a comment. We’d love to hear from you!

Posted by Judi Sohn on May 13th, 2008
Posted in: C3 News | No Comments »

FDA Funding Included in FY08 Emergency Supplemental

C3 would like to thank Senator Herbert Kohl (D-WI) for his continued fight for increased funding for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Senator Kohl has assured that $275 million in additional funding for the FDA will be included in this year’s Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill.

“Senator Kohl continues to be FDA’s champion in the quest for additional funds. We are grateful for his leadership and fully support his efforts,” said Wayne Pines, President of the Alliance for a Stronger FDA. “By placing additional funding in this year’s emergency supplemental bill, Senator Kohl has highlighted the size and urgency of FDA’s needs.”

The supplemental appropriations bill is primarily used to fund defense and the continued war effort. House and Senate leadership will now have to decide on how much of the final bill will fund domestic programs.

Posted by Joe Arite on May 13th, 2008
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | No Comments »
Tags: Congress, FDA

May is National Cancer Research Month

May has been set aside as National Cancer Research Month by Congressional resolutions in both the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate.

During May researchers, advocates, and patients are focusing on how far cancer research has brought us in preventing and treating cancer . . . and how far we have to go to end death and suffering from cancer. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on May 13th, 2008
Posted in: C3 News | No Comments »