Not having insurance reduces the chance that someone with colorectal cancer will live a year after their diagnosis.  Even when patients from 18 to 64 have other illnesses, their insurance status makes a difference in survival.

Risk of dying during that first year was 50 to 90 percent higher among the uninsured.  They were more likely to diagnosed at an advanced stage and live in poor neighborhoods.

Other illness (comorbidities) was lowest in privately insured patients and highest in patients under 65 on Medicare, who were likely to have Medicare because of a disability. Read the rest of this entry »

African Americans have a much worse chance of surviving colorectal cancer that whites.  However, there appear to be reasons beyond race for these differences

After looking at factors including poverty, stage at diagnosis, and treatment received, researchers in Detroit found the differences between races disappeared. Read the rest of this entry »

Although new diagnoses of colon and rectal cancer are decreasing in the United States, the benefit does not reach everyone.

No matter where they lived, incidence of colorectal cancer dropped significantly between 1995 and 2004 for white Americans aged 65 and over, most of whom have Medicare that covers colonoscopy screening.  However, colorectal cancer rates for whites from 50 to 64 did not fall if they lived in rural areas or counties where there was poverty, lack of insurance, or few primary care providers.

African Americans only benefited from reduced incidence if they were over 64 and living in an affluent community. Read the rest of this entry »

In studies reported this week  fewer specialists managing colorectal cancer were found in US counties with large African American populations, older adults with cancer had significantly worse physical and mental health, and palliative sedation at the end of life did not hasten death.

In other headlines, colorectal cancer screening for the uninsured will begin on July 1 in Minnesota, and if screening reveals cancer, treatment will be covered under the Minnesota Medical Assistance program.  The FDA warned consumers not to use Zicam nasal gel or swabs to avoid loss of smell, and doctors advised patients on long-term Xeloda therapy to carry a letter from their oncologist explaining possible loss of fingerprints if they travel internationally. Read the rest of this entry »

Despite more resources in large cities, patients were more often diagnosed with cancer at a late stage in cities in Illinois compared to rural areas. Phone calls and personalized diet and exercise plans helped long-term cancer survivors lose weight and gain strength, and scientists have found changes in the blood of family caregivers that promote inflammation and may lead to illness.

In other headlines, both patients and doctors liked virtual, computer videoconferencing visits, and the FDA reports that shortages of fentanyl patches have been resolved. Read the rest of this entry »