June, 2008

C3 Comments Publicly on CT-Colonography

C3 commented publicly this week to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the reimbursement of CT-Colonography (CTC), also known as Virtual Colonoscopies. CMS offered the opportunity to comment during their National Coverage Analysis (NCA).

Posted by Joe Arite on June 18th, 2008
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | No Comments »
Tags: CMS, Congress, CTC, HR 4879, Medicare, Screenings

Exercise Improves Quality of Life for Colorectal Cancer Survivors

Colon and rectal cancer survivors who meet Canadian public exercise guidelines have better quality of life and less fatigue. However, only 1 in 4 survivors reported they were actively exercising.

More than 400 colon and rectal cancer survivors in Canada answered questions about their exercise, quality of life, and fatigue. Those who were exercising at the level recommended by guidelines reported significantly better quality of life. They also had less fatigue. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 18th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 2 Comments »
Tags: exercise, survivorship

Senator Kennedy Recuperating After Surgery

Longtime friend of C3, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), is back at home in Massachusetts after recently undergoing aggressive surgery for a brain tumor. Because his tumor was operable, the 76-year-old is a candidate for the most promising treatments.

Posted by Joe Arite on June 17th, 2008
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | No Comments »
Tags: HR 1738, Senator Kennedy

Is KRAS Testing Right for You?

Concerned about whether you should have your tumor tested for a KRAS mutation?

You should discuss KRAS testing and your treatment options with your doctor

If you are currently being treated with Erbitux® (cetuximab) or Vectibix™ (panitumumab) for colorectal cancer.
Before beginning Erbitux or Vectibix treatment, either as single medicines or in combination with chemotherapy.
When you are first diagnosed with advanced colon or rectal cancer and are planning a treatment strategy.

Recent research has shown that people with a certain change or mutation in the KRAS gene in their tumor do not benefit from either Erbitux or Vectibix. This is true whether the medicine is used alone (monotherapy) or added to chemotherapy.

You can find more information about KRAS mutations, what research is saying about KRAS, decision-making about KRAS testing, and where you can be tested in the Patient Information pages of the C3 Fightcolorectalcancer.org web site. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 17th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 1 Comment »
Tags: KRAS.Erbitux, Vectibix

C3 Presents Congressional Champion Award

Earlier this month C3 had the pleasure of presenting our second annual Congressional Champion award to Representative Kay Granger (R-TX). The Representative was chosen to receive the award for all of her hard work in the fight against colorectal cancer.

From left to right, Carlea Bauman (C3 President), Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) and Joe Arite (C3 Policy and Grassroots Manager)