Research & Treatment News
ArchivesColorectal cancer diagnosed at a younger age in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including chronic ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease have an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Currently guidelines call for them to have colonoscopy every 1 or 2 years along with biopsies after their IBD is diagnosed.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic reviewed medical records for nearly 300 colorectal cancer patients who also had IBD and compared them a similar group of patients with sporadic colorectal cancer.
They found that IBD patients were diagnosed at a median age of 48, younger than the average age for colorectal cancer diagnosis which is in the mid-sixties. A smaller percentage of their cancers were located distally (near the end of the colon) — 55% were distal compared to 78% distal tumors in the sporadic group.
However, there was no difference in survival rates between the two groups with 54% of the IBD group surviving 5 years past diagnosis, compared to 53% of those cancer patients without IBD.
In an article in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, March 2006, the Mayo team concluded:
CUC-related CRC is diagnosed at a relatively young age, and IBD-related tumors tend to be distributed more evenly across the colorectum than sporadic tumors. The survival rates for IBD-associated and sporadic CRC were similar.
Posted by Kate Murphy on March 14th, 2006
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Wife of South Carolina governor attends community conference planned by two colon cancer survivors
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Jo-Ellen DeLuca and Kenneth Tillerson have joined forces to build a future where no one else needs to face colorectal cancer. Both cancer survivors, they planned a conference, Cancer in Black and White, that met on Monday, March 13th, in South Carolina to begin conversations about the silent — but preventable — killer.
Among those attending was Jenny Stanford, South Carolina first lady.
DeLuca, who was told she had colon cancer in 2001, and Tillerson, who was diagnosed in 1999, are committed to building awareness of colorectal cancer and screening in their community. They sponsor a support group for survivors and families that meets in Jo-Ellen’s home and have distributed more than 5,000 brochures. They frequently speak to local groups and church congregations.
Says Deluca,
We’ve lived to tell this tale, and we want to share it with everyone we can. We work one life at a time.
Tillerson’s goal is to get men to the doctor to get checked for colorectal cancer, especially African-Americans. He says,
Don’t be afraid to do it. Be afraid not to.
Jo-Ellen DeLuca is a volunteer research advocate with C3- the Colorectal Cancer Coalition.
Posted by Kate Murphy on March 14th, 2006
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New Options for Treatment of Colorectal Cancer: MD Anderson Education Meeting
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center will hold an educational session for colorectal cancer patients and their families and supporters on Sunday, March 26, 2006 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The free program is designed to answer questions that colorectal cancer patients have about the causes of colon cancer, new advances in colon cancer treatment, treating colon cancer after surgery, and recurrent cancer. Speakers will discuss coping with a cancer diagnosis and how diagnosis and treatment impact the patient’s family.
- New Options for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer
- Sunday, March 26, 2006
- 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- M.D. Anderson Ambulatory Clinical Building (ACB)
- Room Number ACB1 2325
- 1220 Holcombe Blvd.
- Houston TX 77030
To register online. If you have questions about the program, email Andy Wade.
Posted by Kate Murphy on March 10th, 2006
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Celebration of Life in Chicago
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
The Colon Cancer Alliance Voices of Chicago will be holding a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 11, 2005 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Dinner begins at 6:30. The event is free.
- Celebration of Life
- Colon Cancer Alliance Voices of Chicago
- March 11, 2005
- 6:00 – 9:00 pm
- Parkway Ballroom
- 4455 South King Drive
- Chicago, IL 60653
- RSVP: 773–324–1521 or email Candace Henley
All of us have been touched in some way by cancer. Come out and support the cancer community.
Posted by Kate Murphy on March 10th, 2006
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Watch Molly Skate: Schedule for Molly McMaster’s Colon Cancer Awareness Hockey
Molly McMaster, colon cancer survivor, continues to play with the United Hockey League with the to raise awareness of colorectal cancer. She began on February 26th, playing with the Adirondack Frostbite in Glens Falls and will complete a 14–city tour on March 26th in Roanoke, VA when the Roanoke Vipers play the Elmira Jackels.
Full schedule of McMaster– UHL hockey games.
McMaster was diagnosed with colon cancer on her 23rd birthday. Co-founder and President of the Colon Club she is dedicated to raising awareness of colorectal cancer through what she calls “crazy projects.”
Molly actively encourages young people with symptoms of colorectal cancer to get them checked out with a colonoscopy. While the majority of people with colon cancer are over the age of 50, younger people can and do get the disease. Finding it early and treating it promptly can cure it. From the Colon Club web site is information about colorectal cancer symptoms.
Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer
The most common symptom is no symptom Change in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, narrow stools) Unexplained weight loss, vomitting, lack of energy, unexplained anemia Blood (often not visible) in the stool (poop) or from rectum (bum) Abdominal pain/discomfort (gas, bloating, cramps, feeling that the bowel doesn’t empty completely) If you have two or more of these symptoms for more than a few weeks, see a doctor and get a colonoscopy!
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
Posted by Kate Murphy on March 9th, 2006
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