Rates for New Cancers Go Down for the First Time

Led by dropping rates of lung, breast, and colorectal cancer, the incidence rate of all new cancers in the United States is falling for the first time.  While overall cancer death rates have been decreasing since the early 1990’s, this is the first time that rates of new cancer diagnoses are also declining.

In the Annual Report to the Nation, the rate of newly diagnosed cancer fell 1.7 percent per year between 2001 and 2005.  Death rates for all cancers combined fell 1.8 percent annually during the same time period.

Both incidence of new colorectal cancers and colorectal cancer death rates continued to decline with the new report.  Between 1998 and 2005, incidence rates for men fell 3 percent annually while rates for women declined 2.4 percent.  Death rates fell 4.3 percent between 2002 and 2005 for both sexes.

Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on December 4th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: cancer statistics, colorectal cancer deaths, disparities

It’s Time to Move Forward

President Elect Obama has plenty of challenges ahead of him. Issues ranging from the economy, energy, the environment, and of course healthcare will be at the top of his policy agenda. He has also pledged to reinvigorate the war against cancer. To accomplish this he has promised to double federal funding for cancer research and ensure all Americans have access to preventative healthcare screenings; including those that will detect, and possibly prevent, colorectal cancer.

Take this opportunity to email him directly and hold him to his word. President Elect Obama, make colorectal cancer screening and treatment a national priority! Click here to Take Action

Posted by Joe Arite on December 4th, 2008
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | No Comments »
Tags: colorectal cancer prevention, Obama, President of the United States

Commercial Test for BRAF Gene Available

Clarient Inc. announced the launch of a commercially available test for the BRAF mutation in colorectal cancer.  The test detects mutations in colorectal cancer tumor tissue.

In a recent study, patients with mutated BRAF did not respond to treatment with two drugs that block epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) — Erbitux® (cetuximab) and Vectibix™ (panitumumab).  Patients in the study all had normal, wild-type KRAS, another mutation that blocks response to Erbitux and Vectibix. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on December 2nd, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: biomarkers, BRAF. cetuximab, panitumumab

Thanksgiving is National Family History Day

Keeping Track of Family Health History

Today while you’re digesting turkey or washing the Thanksgiving dinner dishes, take time to talk about your family’s health history.  Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H., the acting Surgeon General, has declared Thanksgiving 2008 the fifth annual National Family History Day.

Families are encouraged to share health information to identify diseases that might be inherited or lifestyles that may contribute to medical problems.  Family histories can lead to a discussion with your doctor about tests you may need or changes you should make to prevent cancer and other diseases.

My Family Health History, a tool developed by the Surgeon General, can help you make a drawing of your family tree and a chart of your family’s health history.  They both can be printed out and shared with others in your family and with your doctor. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on November 26th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: family history, inherited colorectal cancer

Keep That Turkey Safe

Have a Healthy Holiday

Even when turkey is well-prepared, bacteria spores may remain that can cause food poisoning if warm turkey is left out too long.

Normally, cooking turkey to 165 degrees Fahrenheit will kill bacteria like salmonella or e. coli, as well as Clostridium perfringens, a bacteria common to turkey.  But spores from c. perfringens remain after cooking and can be activated in warm turkey. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on November 26th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: nutrition