How likely is it that an individual colon cancer will return?

Stage II colon cancer patients have a tough time knowing how likely it is that their cancer will recur and making a decision about having chemotherapy after surgery.

A test is now on the market that can help with that decision.  OncoType DX® Colon Assay analyzes 12 key genes from a tumor sample to produce a recurrence score that indicates how likely stage II colon cancer will return.

While OncoType DX Colon can’t predict whether chemotherapy will reduce the chance that cancer will come back, it can help patients and their doctors decide on chemotherapy in combination with other factors.

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The California Colorectal Cancer Coalition (C4) is looking for Californians who’ve been impacted by colorectal cancer – survivors, caregivers, friends and family – anyone interested in fighting this disease to participate in their 2010 Lobby Day on March 10.

Join with C4 and help bring the message about the importance of colorectal cancer screening to California state senators and assembly members. All you need is passion for defeating this disease; no experience is necessary. Read the rest of this entry »

Representative Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA), recently introduced a resolution regarding women and colon cancer (H.Res. 1053).  Also known as colorectal cancer, colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths.

Colorectal cancer affects both men and women, and Representative Dahlkemper’s resolution helps to dispel the myth that this disease affects only men by explaining the impact of the disease on women in the United States.  Read the rest of this entry »

The first priority of an expert panel looking at increasing the number of people being screened for colorectal cancer was to “Eliminate financial barriers to colorectal cancer screening and appropriate follow up.”

Meeting for two days in Washington in February, a National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science conference considered what is known– and not known– about why people choose or avoid screening, how to improve screening quality, and what the healthcare capacity is to deliver colorectal cancer screening to the US population.

At the end of the meeting, the panel released a consensus statement with their recommendations for enhancing the use and quality of colorectal cancer screening. Read the rest of this entry »

We’re wearing Blue . . .and you can too!

Dress in Blue Day is March 5, sponsored by the Colon Cancer Alliance.

In celebration of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, advocates are encouraged to raise awareness of colon and rectal cancers by wearing blue and telling their friends and co-workers why screening for colorectal cancer is vitally important.

• Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable.
• Screening can prevent colorectal cancer, and everyone over 50 should be screened.

Nothing blue to wear? We’ve got just what you need.