AACR Annual Meeting Scientist-Survivor Program

AACR 97th Annual Meeting:

Wow — so much to write about!  I’m in Washington for the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.  As part of the Scientist-Survivor Program, I am part of a wonderful group of cancer survivors and an even more wonderful group of mentor scientists who are sharing the experience of the meeting and building partnerships.

Over the next few days, I’ll try to share our experience with you.

(This will be a bit different from my ordinary posts — more personal, less dry, a sort of on-the-spot reporting of what goes on when 17,000 people dedicated to all the aspects of scientific cancer research get together to report what they have been doing.  I’ll be updating you as we go along.)

It’s Sunday morning, very early, actually earlier than my usual wake-up time because the clock’s sprang forward last night sometime after I finally fell into bed after a very, very full day.  I’ve actually been here in Washington for two days, both beginning early in the morning and ending very late at night. 

The spirit of excitement is just huge here.  Cancer science is really at a turning point — perhaps a tipping point — as growth in what we know about the cell and its genes and proteins comes together with exploding technology that lets us get inside it and pinpoint its changes along with the computer capacity to keep track of all the information and the broadband internet capacity to share it.  A convergence of good and important things — perhaps a perfect storm!

The puzzle pieces are coming together — really flying together. We’re far beyond just looking for new drugs.  We’re looking for personalized treatments that target each individual and make a real difference in lives. 

More later on:

• The Scientist-Survivor Program
• CR Magazine (and how I got my picture on the side of a bus)
• The Awards Dinner (which was so much more than a bunch of speeches)
• What I am learning

Posted by Kate Murphy on April 2nd, 2006
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Colon cancer is diagnosed at an earlier age in smokers and drinkers

Current smoking and alcohol use reduces the average age of colorectal cancer diagnosis by nearly 8 years over the age at diagnosis for those who have never smoked or used alcohol.  This effects was even greater for women, who were diagnosed 9.2 years earlier.

In a recent study, people with colorectal cancer who had never smoked or used alcohol were diagnosed with colorectal cancer at an average age of 71.3 years.  However, those who were current smokers and also current drinkers, were first told they had colorectal cancer at age 62.6. 

Reviewing a large database of 167.000 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer, researchers looked at tobacco us (current, past, or never) and alcohol use (current, past, or never) in both men and women.  They also reviewed the local in the colon (proximal or distal) where the cancer was found.

Current smokers who were not drinkers were diagnosed 3.7 years earlier for men and 6.3 years earlier for women.

People who had used alcohol in the past year (current drinkers) but did not smoke were diagnosed about an average of 5 years earlier — for both men and women.

There appeared to be no difference in age of diagnosis for people who had used tobacco and alcohol in the past leading the researchers to believe that stopping smoking or alcohol use could reduce risk somewhat.

Alcohol and tobacco use was also associated with where the cancer was located, with more cancers found distally — nearer the end of the intestinal tract — in current smokers and drinkers.  Women who had never smoked or used alcohol were more likely to have tumors in the proximal colon and perhaps should consider colonoscopy rather than sigmoidoscopy for screening.

Hermant. K. Roy and his colleagues at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University published their report in the Archives of Internal Medicine, March 27, 2006

Our report provides compelling evidence that modifiable risk factors such as alcohol and tobacco use are associated with a younger age at diagnosis and a predilection for distal CRCs.These data underscore the need for cessation of alcohol and tobacco use as an integral part of a CRC prevention program.If replicated in other data sets, our findings would argue that screening should be initiated at a younger age in alcohol and tobacco users. Moreover, these factors help define a subgroup at risk for proximal CRC (non drinking and non smoking women) among whom total colonoscopy rather than flexible sigmoidoscopy would be more appropriate. In the future, we envision the development of risk scores with exogenous (eg, alcohol and tobacco use, age, body mass index, diet, and calcium consumption) and hereditary factors to tailor an individual’s CRC screening program.

For news about the study, see CBS News Healthwatch, Reuters AlertNet., or Medpage Today.

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 29th, 2006
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 1 Comment »

Blood test of C-reactive protein does not appear to predict colorectal cancer risk in women

Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the blood is a marker for inflammation in the body.  Because inflammatory bowel disease increases risk for colorectal cancer and long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs may reduce the risk, researchers wanted to know if CRP was related to colorectal cancer.

However, blood CRP doesn’t appear to increase colorectal cancer risk according to a report in the March 15, 2005 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. 

Researchers measured C-reactive protein in the blood of 28,000 women enrolled in the Women’s Health Study at the beginning of the study. During the following 10 years, 169 women were diagnosed with colorectal cancer.  Those with low CRP levels were just as likely to have colorectal cancer and those with higher levels.  There was also no relationship between CRP levels and tumor size or stage.

The research team  warned that the study was limited to women and that a single baseline test of CRP might not adequately reflect inflammation status.

A similar study of men in Finland reported in Cancer Research in February 2005 did find a relationship between baseline C-reactive protein levels and colorectal cancer.  Men with the highest levels of CRP were nearly 3 times as likely to have colorectal cancer than those with the lowest levels.  CRP had a stronger influence on colorectal cancer risk for lean men than for those with higher body mass index.

The Annals of Internal Medicine also provides an  explanation of the research for patients.

c-reactive protein increased risk of colorectal cancer

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 26th, 2006
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New Options for Treatment of Colorectal Cancer meeting at M.D. Anderson

An educational meeting for cancer patients and their caregivers will be held on Sunday, March 26 at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.  Leading oncology experts will answer questions about the newest advances in colorectal cancer treatment, how a cancer diagnosis impacts the family, and living with a colorectal cancer diagnosis. Registration and parking are free.

• New Options for Treatment of Colorectal Cancer
• Sunday, March 26, 2005
• 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• M.D. Anderson Cancer Cancer
• Ambulatory Clinical Building (ACB)
• 1220 Holcombe Blvd.
• Houston, TX 77030

Registration form and a map to the meeting location is online.

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 25th, 2006
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Molly McMaster interview scheduled for ESPN2

Molly McMaster, the young colon cancer survivor, who has been skating with the United Hockey League to raise awareness of colorectal cancer, will be interviewed on ESPN2’s Cold Pizza today, March 23rd.  Cold Pizza airs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and the McMaster segment is planned for approximately 11:30. The interview will rerun in two hours.

McMaster has been on the ice with twelve United Hockey League teams this March and will finish her challenge this weekend when the Elmira Jackels face the Roanoke Valley Vipers at the Roanoke Civic Center.  Her appearances are part of The UHL Cross Checks Colon Cancer.

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 23rd, 2006
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