The Colon Club has published its annual *Colondar* featuring photographs of young people who are conquering colorectal cancer. Each month focuses on the story of one young model who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer under the age of 50.

The [Colon Club](http://www.colonclub.org/aboutus.html ) is devoted to raising awareness of colorectal cancer through what they call “Crazy Projects.” Besides the annual Colondar, they built the [Colossal Colon](http://www.rollingtorecovery.com/colossalcolon.htm) a forty-foot long, crawl-through replica of the human colon which is still traveling across the US and Canada.

Although colorectal cancer is thought of as a disease that only affects older people, Colondar models remind us that at least 15,000 people under 50 will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2005. Colondar stories emphasize the importance of not overlooking symptoms including weight loss, anemia, abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding. Several of the models were told “not to worry” about symptoms and went undiagnosed for many months.

Wall-sized -Colondars* cost $15 and can be obtained from the [Colon Club website.](http://www.colonclub.org/colondar.html)

The American Association for Cancer Research [(AACR)](http://www.aacr.org/default.aspx) is planning a conference focused on scientific research in colorectal cancer to be held in Dana Point, California on October 19-23, 2005. The goal of the meeting is to provide an overview of the cutting-edge scientific knowledge on the gene pathways, drug development, treatment, and epidemiology of colorectal cancer.

Deadline for advance registration is September 21, 2005. Housing registration at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa has been extended to September 26.

AACR says:

Our knowledge of colorectal cancer is rapidly increasing and has seen significant growth during the past ten or more years. This has been fueled by initial genetic approaches to identify genes involved in the initiation of colorectal cancer. Following these discoveries, our knowledge is being driven by biological, biochemical, and genomic approaches. Focused conferences such as these have the potential to unite the scientific community to the common goal of understanding the molecular etiology of colorectal cancer and to mobilize this group to important discoveries that are necessary for early detection and treatment of this important cancer.

[Download the conference brochure.](http://www.aacr.org/Uploads/DocumentRepository/pdf_files/2005Colorectal/Colorectal_Broch_2005.pdf)

The [Lance Armstrong Foundation](http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.jvKZLbMRIsG/b.594849/k.CC7C/Home.htm) has made $500,000 to help people with cancer displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Grants are available *only to organizations*, not individuals.

Funds can be used for such things as

* transportation for patients and their families to resume or continue treatment
* costs of treatment if care has been interrupted
* emergency housing for patients or families so treatment can begin again

More information and downloadable proposal forms are available on the [LAF site](http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.jvKZLbMRIsG/b.1023933/k.E261/Hurricane_Katrina_Relief_Fund_for_Cancer_Survivors.htm) or by emailing [Suzanne Kho.](mailto:suzanne.kho@laf.org) Interested applicants can also call Ms. Kho at 512-236-8820.

Organizations that have already received funding from the Lance Armstrong Foundation are able to apply as well as other not-for-profit groups.

A study of nearly 56,000 people screened for colorectal cancer with sigmoidoscopy has found that if the scope is not inserted far enough into the colon, the risk of subsequent colorectal cancer in the last part of the colon was tripled. Women and the elderly over 80 were more likely to experience inadequate scopes.

Researchers reviewed the records of 55,791 people sreened with sigmoidoscopy as part of the Kaiser Permanente of Northern California Colon Cancer Prevention (CoCaP). Women were more than two times likely to have the sigmoidoscope withdrawn prematurely, the elderly more than two and a half times.

When the scope did not reach 40 centimeters, risk for distal (lower end) colorectal cancer increased three times. Between 40 and 59 centimeters, risk increased less but still significantly.

In those cases where sigmoidoscopy cannot be completed fully, the research team recommended an alternative screening method such as colonoscopy or barium enema.

Dr. V. Paul Doria-Rose reported results of the research team at the [Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center](http://www.fhcrc.org/) in Seattle in the September, 2005 edition of [*Gut*](http://gut.bmjjournals.com/)

Dr. Doria-Rose wrote:

Older individuals and women are at an increased risk of having inadequate sigmoidoscopy. Because inadequate sigmoidoscopy results in an increased risk of subsequent CRC, physicians should consider steps to maximise the depth of insertion of the sigmoidoscope or, failing this, should consider an alternative screening test.

[Read the study abstract in *Gut*.](http://gut.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/54/9/1273)

[Read a Reuters Health article about the study on *Medscape.*](http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/511657)

Cancer patients, their loved ones, and advocates will be able to speak to National Cancer Institute director Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach during a teleconference on Monday, September 19th at 1 pm. Dr. von Eschenbach will speak about the NCI Challenge Goal — Eliminating Suffering and Death Due to Cancer by 2015: The Future of Cancer Research.

Dr. von Eschenbach will be joined by Doug Ulman, the chair of the NCI Director’s Consumer Liaison Group (DCLG) and Col..(Ret) Jim Williams, a cancer advocate member of the DCLG.

Callers will be able to ask questions during the conference.

The call is free at 1-888-889-1957. **Enter the passcode 2015# to join the conference**

Additional teleconferences are planned for October 19, November 9, and December 16,2005.

If you are unable to be part of the live conference call, playbacks will be available at 1-866-443-2931 until October 20, 2005.

[For more information about the September 19 NCI conference call.](http://la.cancer.gov/specificflyerseptember.pdf)

[Understanding NCI:Toll-free Teleconference Series](http://la.cancer.gov/generalflyer.pdf)