The Colon Club has launched a new Wipe Out Colorectal Cancer campaign with actual rolls of toilet paper printed with information about colon and rectal cancer.

The rolls are available in both travel and full sizes from the Colon Club web site.

The travel rolls have the message on the label, but full-size rolls have information printed on every sheet.

Hannah Vogler, Co-Founder of the Colon Club says,

Everyone has to use toilet paper sometime! The Wipe Out Colorectal Cancer toilet paper is just another way for us to educate people about colorectal cancer. The regular size rolls can be used on any standard toilet paper rod, and the travel rolls are so portable that you can carry them around and give them away.

Wipe Out Colorectal Cancer is dedicated to thirty-one-year old Paula Ries from Mount Vernon, Indiana.  Paula was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer last year, which has now spread to her pancreas. 

The Colon Club raises awareness of colorectal cancer in innovative and entertaining ways including the Colossal Colon and the Colondar, which features young models who have had colon or rectal cancer baring their scars for the camera.

As the need for oncologists and other cancer health professionals grows, there may be too few to meet the demand.  A workforce study commissioned by the American Society of Clinical Oncology projects a significant shortage of oncologists and gynecological oncologists by 2020.

While the US population is growing and aging, the oncology workforce is growing more slowly.  Given the numbers of doctors expected to enter the field and those retiring, the total number of oncologists in 2020 is projected to be 12,500 — an acute shortfall of 2,550 to 4,080.

Between now and 2020, the demand for oncology services is expected to rise by 48% given a larger population and more adults over 65, who are more likely to need cancer care.  At the same time, the supply of oncologists  will increase by 20% and the capacity for oncology visits to increase even less at 14%.

In addition to the ASCO-commissioned study carried out by the Association of American Medical Colleges Center for Workforce Studies, another analysis by Richard Cooper MD at the University of Pennsylvania based on economic trends found similar shortages. Cooper’s study concluded:

This analysis, which is based on economic and demographic trends, projects a 36% deficit in the number of medical oncologists relative to the demand for care in 2020.

As well as more cancer patients, there are a growing number of cancer survivors who also need care.  In 1971 there were 3 million cancer survivors in the United States.  By 2001, the number of survivors had more than tripled to 10 million.

Michael Goldstein MD, chair of the ASCO Workforce in Oncology Task Force noted that this is not just a problem of medical oncologists,

It is very important that the results of the study are looked at not as a problem only for medical oncology. It really presents a challenge for the whole cancer care delivery system, including nurses, surgeons, radiation oncologists, pharmacists, and anyone who participates in the care of patients with cancer.

The full report  Forecasting the Supply of and Demand for Oncologists is available online.

Katie Couric, CBS Evening News anchor, will feature segments on colorectal cancer on March 14 and 15 on the CBS Evening News.

• Conquering Colon Cancer
• CBS News with Katie Couric
• Wednesday, March 14 and Thursday March 15
• 6:30 (Eastern)

Ms. Couric will also appear on The Early Show on March 14 to discuss the programs.  After her husband’s death from colon cancer, Katie Couric has become a leader in raising awareness of colorectal cancer and its prevention. Her on-air colonoscopy has encouraged many people to be screened.

The segments can be viewed on the CBS Evening News website.

March 8th was Dress in Blue Day in Seattle and King County, Washington.  King County Executive Ron Sims, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels joined colorectal cancer survivors and community leaders to raise awareness of colorectal cancer, increase screening, and reduce colon and rectal cancer deaths.

Dress in Blue Day was the brainchild of stage IV colon cancer survivor Anita Mitchell in honor of her friend Carmen Mitchell who died of the disease.  After surgical and chemotherapy treatment, Anita is now without any sign of cancer. Her video story is available on Health Talk along with a tribute to Carmen.

More than 2,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year in Washington State.  In 2003, 233 residents of King County died.

There is more information about colorectal cancer from the Public Health in Seattle and King County.

People without insurance for screening can call the Community Health Access Program (CHAP) at 1-800-756-5437.

Men and women in Baltimore County who don’t have health insurance or whose health insurance doesn’t cover colorectal screening may be eligible for a free screening colonoscopy.  They must also meet income guidelines for the special program.

Medical service is provided by private physicians throughout the Baltimore area.  Program participants have help from a nurse case manager.

Jim Smith, the Baltimore County Executive, and Health Officer Dr. Pierre Vigilance held a news conference on March 5th to promote the free program.

Smith said,

We’re trying to get the word out about the free screening. Maybe if people knew the benefits of the screening, they will be more willing to be tested.

Dr. Vigilance added,

There’s somewhat of a stigma and a bit of a phobia for some people. They perceive it to be a bit uncomfortable and maybe a bit embarrassing. We’ve got to get beyond that phobia.

For more information about the program or to sign up:

• Baltimore County Department of Health
• Cancer Prevention Program
• 6401 York Road, 3rd Floor
• Baltimore, MD 21212-2130
• Phone:  410-887-3456 or toll-free 866-632-6566
• Email: mdcolon@co.ba.md.us
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