The Colorado Colorectal Screening Program began in 2004 screening uninsured people by linking community primary care clinics to endoscopists. Funding comes from an additional tax on tobacco.  Since its beginning in 2004, CCSP has screened 6,850 people.

The program estimates that it has prevented 180 cases of colorectal cancer and 80 deaths.

Primary focus is on the uninsured 50 to 64, but colonoscopies are also offered to high-risk people under 50.  Program participants need to have incomes below 250 percent of poverty. Read the rest of this entry »

Colorectal cancer advocates from around the country joined together tonight for three days of trainings and strategizing that will culminate in meetings with their Members of Congress on Capitol Hill.

Advocates from every corner of the country traveled to Washington, DC, in support of legislation that will create a National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program – something that is desperately needed if we are to make colorectal cancer a disease that is no more deadly than the common cold. Read the rest of this entry »

Image from WKBT Channel 8

Staff from the Franciscan Skemp Healthcare in La Cross, WI raised over $10,000 in their annual Colon Bowlin.  In its fifth year, the Colon Bowlin also included Wii and karaoke.

Ann Gilbertson, an RN with Franciscan Skemp told WKBT Channel 8 that, “This started as a way to have fun and it turned into a way to have camaraderie for the hospital community, at the same time raising funds.”

Advocates to meet with their Members of Congress and urge support of HR 1189

ALEXANDRIA, VA – March 20, 2009 - On Tuesday March 24th, 65 colorectal cancer advocates from throughout the country will head to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC to “Call on Congress” in an effort to fight colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in America.

C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition (C3), a nonprofit advocacy organization based in Alexandria, VA, will host the 65 advocates for three days, March 22nd – 25th, as part of its annual Call-on Congress grassroots advocacy training. The event will train and prepare colorectal cancer advocates – patients, survivors and caregivers – on how to have the most successful meetings possible with their elected officials. On Tuesday, March 24th, they will take what they learned to the halls of Congress, armed with information, state-specific colorectal cancer statistics and a call to action: support colorectal cancer legislation that will save money and save lives. Read the rest of this entry »

This week we’re reporting on a cement that eases pain from bone mets, a successful smoking cessation program before surgery, and survival rates for diabetics with colorectal cancer.

Baylor College of Medicine is making it easier for people to schedule colonoscopies, and the University of Pittsburgh Medical School is testing a vaccine to prevent colon cancer.

During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month there are many community screening programs being promoted, including some with free colonoscopies.  If you’ve waited . . . now’s the time to schedule that screening and protect yourself from colorectal cancer.  Screening prevents colorectal cancer as well as finding it early when it can be most easily cured.

Read the rest of this entry »