Cancer patients will learn more from their doctors about the possible risks and benefits of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to manage anemia during chemotherapy under a new program just approved by the FDA.

ESAs can be given to chemotherapy patients to reduce the need for blood transfusions.  However, there can be problems with ESAs including causing some tumors to grow faster or some patients to die sooner.  They can also increase risk for blood clots, heart failure, heart attack or stroke.

ESAs, including Procrit®, Epogen®, and Aranesp®, are now covered by a REMS or Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy which requires that patient receive a Medication Guide from their health care providers that tells them how to safely use an ESA drug.

In addition, health care providers who use ESAs with their patients must be be actively enrolled in  the APPRISE (Assisting Providers and Cancer Patients with Risk Information for the Safe Use of ESAs) Oncology program and receive training in their safe use.  Read the rest of this entry »

Pam McAllister attended the 2010 GI Cancers Symposium in Orlando on a C3 scholarship.

Pam is one of the original colorectal cancer research advocates and has been involved with research advocacy activities for well over a decade. She serves on numerous research panels and has co-authored many articles including the 2008 American Cancer Society Screening Guidelines and the ASCO Clinical Opinion on Testing for KRAS Mutations.

Here is the first of three articles she has written for C3’s Research  and Treatment News about what she learned at the Orlando meeting.

Last year we learned that Avastin® (bevacizumab) was not effective in increasing disease free survival in stage III colon cancer except for a possible small transient benefit that disappeared soon after the drug was discontinued. Read the rest of this entry »

Medically underserved residents of three Georgia counties will be able to get a free screening colonoscopy thanks to a collaborative effort developed by the Magnolia Foundation and the Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition.

Financially eligible people from 50 to 69 in Chattooga, Floyd, Gordon and Polk counties without insurance coverage to pay for screening can apply through their local county health department.  Younger people at higher risk for colorectal cancer because of a family or personal medical history are also included. Read the rest of this entry »

Think that Maalox Total Relief is the same as the traditional Maalox liquids?

It isn’t, and the FDA wants you to know that.

Although both are available over the counter, they are intended to treat different medical conditions.  Maalox Total Relief contains bismuth subsalicylate, which is related to aspirin and can cause bleeding and other serious side effects. Read the rest of this entry »

Recent studies from Swedish investigators suggest that blueberries may prevent colon cancer development. They suggest that blueberries should be eaten with probiotic yoghurt to further improve the benefit. Read the rest of this entry »