Colorectal Cancer News in Brief: May 23

Research this week finds that people with severe cancer weight loss get less benefit from fentanyl pain patches and explores why people with Down Syndrome have less cancer.

In other headlines, shut-down of a Canadian nuclear reactor threatens the supply of medical isotopes used in many cancer tests.  Free drug samples may do more harm than good, and CT colonography finds cancers and other serious conditions outside the colon in about 2 or 3 out of 100 tests.  Finally, we provide a link to a Cancer.Net podcast with information about what to expect from your colonoscopy. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on May 24th, 2009
Posted in: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Tags: cachexia, CT colonography, Down Syndrome, free drug samples, medical isotopes

Colorado Colorectal Screening Program

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. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 23rd, 2009
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Tags: screening

This Week’s Colorectal Cancer News in Brief: March 20

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.

Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 20th, 2009
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Wyoming Asks: Pledge to Screen for Colorectal Cancer

Men and women in Wyoming are encouraged to take the 2009 Pledge to Screen for Colorectal Cancer. People who complete the pledge receive information and a blue “buddy bracelet” to remind them to be screened.

Residents of Wyoming who are uninsured or whose insurance doesn’t cover colonoscopy screening may be eligible for the Wyoming Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Program (WCCEDP). Eligible residents have lived in Wyoming at least one year, have incomes below 250 percent of poverty, and are over 50. People under 50 can also participate if they have special family or personal health histories. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 11th, 2009
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Tags: colorectal cancer awareness, screening

Bottom Line Poetry Contest

Inspired?  Got some special words about colonoscopies?

Digestive Care gastroenterologists in Florida want to hear your poems . . . and will award $500 for the best new poem featuring colonoscopies during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  Or the winning poet can have a free colonoscopy. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 11th, 2009
Posted in: Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
Tags: colorectal cancer awareness