Fight Colorectal Cancer

Over the years research has consistently shown a link between cigarette smoking and pre-cancerous colorectal polyps.  Pooling results of over 42 studies, researchers found that current smokers more than doubled their risk for an adenoma with the ability to become cancer.

Stopping smoking helped, but there was still an increased risk of about 50 percent among former smokers.

Risk was higher for advanced adenomas, the most dangerous kind.

Led by Edoardo Botteri, the team concluded,

This meta-analysis provides strong evidence of the detrimental effect of cigarette smoking on the development of adenomatous polyps. Smoking is important for both formation and aggressiveness of adenomas.

SOURCE:  Botteri et al., Gastroenterology, Volume 134, Number 2, February 2008.

In July 2006, we received an email to the C3 mailbox:

I am Rob Michelson, age 39. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with rectal cancer.

I am a proponent of clinical research. I am doing some investigatory work to educate myself about colorectal cancer advocacy and have come across the C3 website. I’d like to find out more about C3 and potentially, how I can add my voice to the advocacy and support programs.

Sadly, that voice was silenced on Tuesday night. Robert Michelson passed away at the age of 40, leaving behind his wife Margherita and 3 young sons.

Since that initial email of introduction, Rob actively touched every corner of C3′s work on behalf of the colorectal cancer community. He threw himself full force into the fight. Many of our advocates focus their attention solely on changing policy, some focus on pushing research. Rob did it all.

He served on the C3 grassroots advisory committee, which steers the work that we do with our advocates. He attended our 2007 Call-on Congress and was one of the planners for our 2008 event. Rob was the kind of constituent that makes Members of Congress nervous: smart as a whip, passionate about the cause and completely unafraid to push for more. He also participated in our Research Advocacy Program and was the patient representative on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), which oversees colorectal cancer clinical trails in the US. The photo on the right was taken at our 2007 training in Orlando, Florida.

He was one of the champions for the C3 Lisa Fund, which raises money to go directly to a researcher looking into cures and treatments for late stage colorectal cancer. In fact, he single-handedly raised thousands for the Lisa Fund through his direct appeals to his friends, family and co-workers.

He understood everything C3 was about, and he gave his time and heart passionately to our shared cause.

For the staff of C3, when we think of Rob, we hear bells. Stock market opening bells.

Rob is in the center of this picture.

Rob worked at the New York Stock Exchange. Last year, through his tenacity and passion, he pushed to get C3 invited to ring the Opening Bell the first Monday in March (Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month).

C3 President Carlea Bauman (to Rob’s left in picture above) remembers:

When we all piled onto the podium, I recall seeing groups of people looking up at us with huge smiles on their faces. I realized that they were all Rob’s friends who had come to watch him have his moment. And what a moment it was: the whole world heard about colorectal cancer that day and colorectal cancer patients saw one of their own broadcasting their plight and showing them that they weren’t alone.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Margherita, their sons, friends and family during this difficult time. We will carry his voice with us, and we will not give up the fight.

Please consider supporting our efforts in Rob’s honor.

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Senator Hilary Clinton (D-NY) held off their opponents in the fight for Florida last evening. McCain narrowly defeated his top adversary, Governor Mitt Romney to take the top spot in the Sunshine State. This win solidified the Senator from Arizona as the frontrunner for the Republican nomination.

Senator Clinton won the hearts of Floridians, but not their delegates. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) stripped the state of its delegates for a violation of primary scheduling rules. Because of the DNC ruling Senator Clinton moves no closer to the Democratic nomination.

Former Senator John Edwards (D-NC) and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-NY) have both decided to pull out of the race for President of United States.

The countdown to Super Tuesday begins.

Remaining Primaries:

FEBRUARY 2008
• February 1: Maine (R)
• February 5: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado (caucuses), Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho (D), Illinois, Kansas (D), Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico (D), New York, North Dakota (caucuses), Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah
• February 9: Louisiana, Kansas (R)
• February 10: Maine (D caucuses)
• February 12: District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia
• February 19: Hawaii (D), Washington, Wisconsin

MARCH 2008
• March 4: Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont
• March 8: Wyoming (D)
• March 11: Mississippi

APRIL 2008
• April 22: Pennsylvania

MAY 2008
• May 6: Indiana, North Carolina
• May 13: Nebraska (primary), West Virginia
• May 20: Kentucky, Oregon
• May 27: Idaho (R)

JUNE 2008
• June 3: Montana, New Mexico (R), South Dakota

AUGUST 2008
• August 25-28: Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado

SEPTEMBER 2008
• September 1-4: Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota

President George W. Bush gave his seventh and final State of the Union on January 28, 2008. During his speech the President talked about a variety of topics such as the economy, the war in Iraq, the healthcare system and briefly touched on the advancements in medical research.

If you would like to read a transcript of his speech please click here.

Research is curing colon and rectal cancer.

When it’s found before it spreads, research has brought us better treatments to keep cancer from coming back.  When it has spread, research is making more surgical cures possible. 

And when it can’t be cured, people are living longer, better lives because of research that is sponsored by the federal government through the National Cancer Institute.

Even better, research prevents colorectal cancer and saves lives by finding new screening tools to discover pre-cancerous polyps before they ever become cancers.

But, research is threatened by reductions in government funding . . . seriously threatened.  On the verge of new treatments, clinical trials are being cut back.  On the brink of learning how pathways in the cancer cell can be blocked and cancer stopped in its tracks, laboratory funding is being cut.  Young researchers . . . the lifeblood of cancer progress . . . are entering other fields.

We’ve made progress . . . fewer people are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer and more are living beyond it . . . but it is not nearly enough.

Join C3′s advocates to tell Congress that we can win the war on cancer . . . but we have to fund it.

We’ll be Calling on Congress March 9th through March 12th.

On Tuesday, March 11th  we’ll be going directly to Capitol Hill to tell Congress that research can cure colon and rectal cancer, that screening can prevent colorectal cancer, and that Congress needs to act now to make it happen.

On Sunday, March 9th and Monday, March 9th C3 will be helping advocates learn how to take that message to their members of Congress with the power that only people living with colorectal cancer have.

If you are a person with colon or rectal cancer, a survivor, or a family member of friend, please Call on Congress with us.

Registration time is short and space is limited.

We need to know by February 1st that you’ll be coming to Washington and joining our fight. 

Register for Call on Congress today!