Study shows that any smoking nearly doubles risk for pre-cancerous adenomas

Researchers studying a relationship between smoking, adenomas, colorectal cancer, and changes in a gene related to cells in the lining of the colon found that overall smoking at any time increased risk for adenomas by 73%.  Smoking more than 30 years nearly tripled risk for colorectal cancer.

However, there was a difference between smoking risk and those adenomas and colorectal cancers that showed a change in the APC gene (adenomatous polyposis coli) and those that did not.  Mutations in the APC gene are thought to be an early step in the development of the polyps that lead to colorectal cancer, but there are cancers that develop without APC gene changes.  Scientists believe they may represent a different pathway to colorectal cancer. 

When there was no mutation in the APC gene, the risk for both adenomas and colorectal cancer was four times as great as for non-smokers.  When there was a change in the APC gene, only beginning to smoke more than 40 years before yielded an increased risk for colorectal cancer, doubling the risk.

The research team studied 133 cases (45 with adenomatous polyps and 88 with colorectal cancer) and a control population of 334 cases with neither polyps or cancer.  All adenomas and tumors were sequenced for mutations in the APC gene.

In an article published March 17, 2006 in BMC Cancer the Norwegian research team concluded:

Our data suggest an association between smoking and adenoma and CRC development. This association was strongest for cases without APC truncation mutation. This may implicate other factors in development of these tumors. The association detected between smoking and CRC cases with APC mutation was in relationship to the smoking parameter “starting smoking [greater than or equal to] 40 years ago”, a time period long enough to proceed CRC initiation.

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 20th, 2006
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Snowy bike ride raises awareness in Nebraska — Rollin to Colon

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Bike riders started off in Omaha, Nebraska on Sunday, March 19th, to raise money for colon cancer research and awareness of the disease but were stopped by heavy snow a few miles into the ride.  State police decided that riders weren’t safe in the snowy weather.

Holly Rochelle, a colon cancer survivor, organized the ride — Rollin to Colon —  fifty miles from Omaha to Colon, Nebraska.

I had told people of Nebraska, I would come here and raise awareness for colon cancer — and would do it with everything I had. I want people to know that colon cancer is the number two cause of cancer deaths in this country. And I want them to get a colonoscopy.

In addition, riders wanted to get out the message that young people do get colon cancer. Lauri Wingerter was diagnosed at 38.

I was diagnosed at age 38 with stage-three colon cancer, and that was four years ago. It was awful and nobody thought, because I was so young, that I would have colon cancer.

Nineteen riders began the trip before fast-falling snow ended the effort.  The team plans an annual bike ride to towns across the United States named “Colon”.  Next year’s ride will be to Colon, Pennsylvania.  Rochelle plans to ride during March, which is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, but may schedule it later to avoid late-season snow storms.

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 20th, 2006
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Laparoscopic colectomy saves health care costs in a hospital study

Laparoscopic or minimally invasive colectomy (MIC) takes more time to complete in the operating room and requires special instruments.  However, average hospital stays are shorter, so total costs might be lower.

Researchers at the University of Rochester wondered how full costs of MIC might compare with traditional surgery to remove colon cancer that opens the abdomen — open colectomy (OC).  Reviewing records of all open and minimally invasive colectomies performed at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester NY over a three years period beginning in 2000, they studied operating room time, length of hospital stay, and total overall health costs for both approaches.

For 68 surgeries that removed the right section of the colon (54 OC and 14 MIC):

• Time in the operating room was significantly longer for MIC (214 vs. 170 minutes)
• Length of hospital stay was shorter for MIC (4.5 days vs. 7.4 days)

For 131 colectomies to remove left-sided cancers (104 OC and 27 MIC)

• Again, time in the operating room was longer (256 minutes for MIC vs. 213 minutes for OC)
• Length of hospital stay was shorter for MIC (4.4 days vs. 7.9 days)

Overall, total hospital costs were significantly lower for MIC, averaging $8,580 compared to $10,303 for open surgery.

The research team, headed by Rabih M. Salloum, MD, concluded,

MIC is associated with a significantly longer operating room time and a shorter hospital stay than OC. Operating room cost is significantly higher for MIC, but total hospital cost is lower. MIC is cost effective and results in significant savings to the health-care system.

The study appears in the February 2006 Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 16th, 2006
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Today Show features colon cancer survivors

All week, March 13-17, the Today Show will be featuring stories Confronting Colon Cancer.

On Wednesday, March 13th, Suzanne Lindley, Buddy Coordinator for the Colon Cancer Alliance, will talk about finding support from others online.  Lindley has survived metastatic colon cancer for more than seven years.  She credits part of her long survival to the support she received from friends she met via email.  She has been a member of the Association for Cancer Online Resources (ACOR) Colon Discussion List since her diagnosis.

As CCA Buddy Program Coordinator, Suzanne makes literally hundreds of telephone calls each week to other colorectal cancer survivors and their families, connecting them to others and encouraging them in their struggle.

Robb Kerr, who also has advanced colon cancer, will be on the show on Friday, March 17th, to discuss clinical trials.  Robb has been enrolled in several cancer clinical trials at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, TN.  Robb was diagnosed in March of 2002 and has been on four different clinical trials since then.

Kerr now mentors other cancer patients who are considering or taking part in clinical trials at Vanderbilt. Robb is a research advocate with the Colorectal Cancer Coalition, and his story is on the C3 site. 

Suzanne Lindley Robb Kerr CCA Buddy Program

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 15th, 2006
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Maggie Inouye, wife of US Senator from Hawaii, dies of colon cancer

Maggie Inouye, wife of US Senator Daniel Inouye, died of colon cancer Monday, March 13, 2006 in Washington according to reports from Honolulu.

Mrs. Inouye was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2004 and had been receiving chemotherapy before a recent hospitalization at Walter Reed Medical Center.

Senator Inouye said of his wife,

It was a most special blessing to have had Maggie in my life for 58 years. She was my inspiration, and all that I have accomplished could not have been done without her at my side. We were a team. She always supported me, listened to my ideas, and many times offered invaluable suggestions that always proved she was capable of achieving as much on her own right, given her intelligence and education. Instead, she chose to join me on a special journey that took us to Washington, and gave us the privilege of serving the people of Hawaii.

Maggie Inouye

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 14th, 2006
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