This week research explores how medical problems affect complications after colon surgery, higher risks for colorectal cancer in vegetarians, decreasing levels of Vitamin D in the United States, and how malnutrition is connected to emotional distress in patients with advanced cancer.

Other headlines include an FDA update on the oxycodone shortage and a story linking a Pilgrim family to thousands of descendents with inherited colorectal cancer. Read the rest of this entry »

Just reported by the Associated Press:  The Veterans Administration has confirmed 10 cases of liver infections among patients who had colonoscopies at the Murfreesboro, TN campus of the Veterans Administration Healthcare System.

VA spokeswoman Katie Roberts said Friday that four Tennessee patients have tested positive for hepatitis B. Six have tested positive for hepatitis C, a potentially life-threatening form of the viral infection that can cause permanent liver damage.

The Veterans Administration says that patients will get care for hepatitis even though it is not known whether the infections came from the colonoscopies or the VA facilities.

Previously 6,000 patients in the Tennessee Valley VA Healthcare System were warned that they might be at risk for hepatitis B or C or HIV infection because of improperly cleaned colonoscopy equipment.

The Miami Veterans Administration Health Care System is notifying 3,260 veterans of a potential health risk from endoscopies performed between May 2004 and March 12, 2009.  While the endoscopes themselves were cleaned and disinfected, an attached section of tubing was rinsed but not disinfected between procedures.

According to the Miami VA, this creates a small risk of infection with viruses Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, or HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).  Therefore, they are:

• Notifying patients who had endoscopies between May 2005 and March 12, 2009 of the risk for infection.
• Establishing a Special Care Call Center at (305) 575-7256 or 1-877-575-7256
  where patients can call with questions or to schedule an appointment for hepatitis or HIV blood testing.
• Opening Special Care Clinics for follow-up care and testing for potentially affected patients Miami VA Medical Center, the Broward County VA Clinic, the Homestead VA Clinic and the Key West VA Clinic.

The Miami VA Healthcare System emphasizes that follow-up testing is only a precaution and that they know of no patients who have acquired an infection after endoscopy performed during the targeted dates.  There is no cost or co-pay for testing, and patients are eligible for transportation assistance. Read the rest of this entry »

C3 President Carlea Bauman, Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), and C3 Director of Research Communication Kate Murphy

C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition wrapped up the 2009 Call-on Congress with a Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill. C3, along with our partner the Prevent Cancer Foundation, held a briefing on Capitol Hill for Members of Congress, staff and the many advocates who made their way to Washington, DC. Read the rest of this entry »

Today take some time to honor those GI nurses, aides, and technologists who are saving lives every day by making colonoscopies safe and comfortable. Read the rest of this entry »