Fight Colorectal Cancer

Add a Twibbon to your Facebook & Twitter pic!

As Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month kicks off, we’re launching a new Blue Star Twibbon in partnership with My Colon Cancer Coach, to unite survivors, loved ones and advocates under a common symbol of support. Many of you are already participating in Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and we’re thrilled to have your support as we head to Capitol Hill for Call-on Congress this week.

If you’ve never heard of a Twibbon, it’s basically a small image that overlays the corner of your Twitter or Facebook profile image, calling attention to colorectal cancer awareness and signifying your support for this cause. By adding one, you will:

• Raise awareness about the second-leading cancer killer in the United States among your social circles online
• Encourage more dialogue about colorectal cancer, including  legislation to promote prevention, screening and treatment
• Be a part of the movement for change and find new like-minded supporters and advocates

Throughout March and beyond, we would love for you to join this online community by adding the Blue Star Twibbon. Just visit the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Twibbon page to add yours today – and spread the word to others!

Ms. Butt Meddler, the singing and dancing gastroenterologist, tells African Americans to Start at 45.

African Americans have a high rate of new colorectal cancers and they are diagnosed earlier in life. And their death rate is higher than the rest of the US population. The American College of Gastroenterology guidelines call for them to be screened beginning when they are 45.

Patricia Raymond MD, AKA Ms. Butt Meddler, sings and dances and recommends that blacks start screening at 45, rather than 50.

Dr. Raymond is a board-certified gastroenterologist who “. . .takes medicine seriously and herself lightly.”  She tells people who are afraid of colonoscopy to Laugh Their Fears Away at Colonjoke.net.

And if you haven’t watched and laughed at Ms Butt Meddler’s Looking Up My Back Door, enjoy!

 Time to catch up on some colorectal cancer news that we might have missed.

In Nutshell News: Virtual colonoscopy works just as well for over 65′s, over-the-counter and prescription stomach acid is connected to c. difficile diarrhea, and the recession cut into colorectal cancer screening among people with health insurance. Read the rest of this entry »

The short answer is probably not. Most colorectal cancer develops as we age without any notable family history.

But about one in five people with colorectal cancer will have a close family link.

Getting to know that risk is important.

It may mean earlier or more frequent screening. It definitely means talking to your family, learning about Aunt Mary’s uterine cancer, Dad’s polyps, or Grandmother’s stomach problems when she was 35. It means telling them about your own cancer or polyps.

The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable has a new website to help you search and share your family history with Family PLZ. Read the rest of this entry »

Representative Charlie Dent

Legislation was introduced in Congress today that will correct an oversight to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that requires Medicare beneficiaries to pay coinsurance when their screening colonoscopy also involves the removal of a polyp or cancer. When a screening colonoscopy turns therapeutic, the cost to the Medicare patient is significant – $100 to $300 – and it could serve as a deterrent to screening.

The legislation, Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act of 2012 (H.R. 4120), was introduced by Rep. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania.

Read the rest of this entry »