Colon Cancer Patients with Close Family History Do Better

Colon cancer patients with a first-degree relative who also had colon cancer have a significantly better prognosis.

In a recent study, even after all risk factors were taken into consideration, they had less chance of cancer recurring and less chance of dying than people without a close family history.

However, the same thing was not true for rectal cancer. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on January 12th, 2010
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 3 Comments »
Tags: family history, survival benefit

Thanksgiving is National Family History Day

Keeping Track of Family Health History

Today while you’re digesting turkey or washing the Thanksgiving dinner dishes, take time to talk about your family’s health history.  Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H., the acting Surgeon General, has declared Thanksgiving 2008 the fifth annual National Family History Day.

Families are encouraged to share health information to identify diseases that might be inherited or lifestyles that may contribute to medical problems.  Family histories can lead to a discussion with your doctor about tests you may need or changes you should make to prevent cancer and other diseases.

My Family Health History, a tool developed by the Surgeon General, can help you make a drawing of your family tree and a chart of your family’s health history.  They both can be printed out and shared with others in your family and with your doctor. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on November 26th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: family history, inherited colorectal cancer

Family History of Colorectal Cancer Improve Survival Chances

People with a family history of colon or rectal cancer may have a smaller risk of having the cancer return or of dying from the disease according to a new study published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Researchers followed nearly 1,100 patients with stage III colon cancer who were being treated with chemotherapy, 195 of whom had at least one close family member who also had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.  Fifty-seven of them had a cancer recurrence or died (29 percent).  Among the 892 patients with no family history, 343 died or had cancer return (38 percent.)

Patients with one family member with colorectal cancer had about a 25 percent reduced risk of recurrence or death than those with no family history.  When there were two or more affected close relatives, risk of dying or having cancer return was cut in half.

The scientists tested tumors for microsatellite instability (MSI) and for proteins associated with mismatch repair genes, two molecular factors that are associated with better survival.  However, family history was independent of MSI and mismatch repair.

Close family members were first-degree relatives — parents, siblings, or children.

Jennifer A. Chan, MD, MPH and her colleagues wrote,

Among patients with stage III colon cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, a family history of colorectal cancer is associated with a significant reduction in cancer recurrence and death

Watch a video report about the research.

SOURCE: Chan et al,, Journal of the American Medical Association, Volume 299, Number 21, June 4, 2008.

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 4th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: family history, survival