Reviewing studies of both vitamin B6 intake and blood levels, Swedish scientists found a 20 percent reduction in colorectal cancer risk between people with most B6 and those with the least. Read the rest of this entry »

Grassroots Action Committee Members (left to right) - Liz Dennis, Arlene Murphy, LaRisha Baker, Florence Kurttila, Pam Seijo, and Dave Larson helped to plan and organize the 2010 Call-on Congress

Today, colorectal cancer survivors, caregivers, physicians, and nurses brought their fight against colorectal cancer to Washington, DC.  C3 President Carlea Bauman described the importance of their voices in the war against cancer, “colorectal cancer advocates who speak up and demand change will be the ones who make a difference in the fight against this disease.”

Even with advances in screening technology colorectal cancer continues to be the second leading cancer killer of men and women combined.  In 2010, nearly 50,000 people in the United States will die from colorectal cancer.  The real tragedy is that many of these deaths could be prevented if more people took advantage of colorectal cancer screening and early detection.

Over the next two days, the advocates will hear from experts about current research and cancer control programs aiming to decrease both incidence and mortality rates from colorectal cancer. Read the rest of this entry »

Latina cancer survivors are invited to be part of Campamento Alegria - Camp Joy — in Brandon, Florida.

Applications are still be accepted for the 2010 camp to be held March 19 through 21.  There is no cost to attend, including two overnights, meals, and all activities.

If you are a Hispanic woman who has ever been diagnosed with cancer, you can get more information or register for Campemento Alegria by calling (813) 728-5895.

The theme is Reconnectandose con su Voz Interno (Reconnecting with your Inner Voice).  All activities are in Spanish, with culturally relevant food and music.

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Genomic Health has commercialized a new test which has been shown to be associated with risk of tumor recurrence for stage II colon cancer. The test came on the market in January of 2010.

I wanted to review with you the limitations of this test, which is  not as good by far as the test they have developed for breast cancer. Read the rest of this entry »

Annual colonoscopies for people with Lynch syndrome (HNPCC or hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer) successfully find cancers at an early stage.

A recent study by the German HNPCC Consortium confirmed the effectiveness of annual colonoscopies to find colorectal cancers at a curable stage.  Regular colonoscopies found early cancers more often than did patient symptoms.

Current recommendations are for surveillance colonoscopies to begin by age 25, be repeated every 1 to 2 years until age 40, and then annually.

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