This week’s reports include information about mismatch repair genes in stage IV colorectal cancer, colon surgery complications for very obese patients, and the impact of computerization on hospital outcomes.

In addition, there are links to the Surgeon General’s new Family Health Portrait and a report from Families USA on health care insurance costs for laid off workers. Read the rest of this entry »

Brief Research Reports

• Positive research studies are much more likely to be published than those with negative results.  They are also published sooner.  The Cochrane Collaboration reviewed  five different analyses of potential publication bias and fund that while 73 percent of clinical trials with positive results were published only 41 percent of those with negative or null findings were reported.  Positive studies took about four or five years to get into print, while negative studies took six to eight.  Sources of funding, sex of the principal researcher, or academic rank didn’t make a difference.  S. Hopewell in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 1.

Read the rest of this entry »

Brief Research Reports

• Maslinic acid, a compound found in high concentrations in olive skins, slows development of colon cancer cells and leads to their death.  Researchers in Spain isolated the natural triterpenoid compound from the waxy coating on olives.  They suggest that its development may lead to drugs to prevent or treat colorectal cancer.   Fernando J. Reyes-Zurita, Cancer Letters, January 8, 2009.
• There was no evidence that eating more foods high in acrylamide increased risk of either colon or rectal cancer in a large group of Swedish men.  More than 45,300 men in the Cohort of Swedish Men completed questionnaires about what they ate and how often at the beginning of the study.  Nine years later, there was no significant difference between those in the highest quarter of acrylamide consumption and those in the lowest one-fourth.
  Acrylamide is created when carbohydrate-rich foods are prepared at high temperatures such as with french fries and potato chips.  Although acrylamide has caused cancer in animals, there is not yet good evidence that foods high in the substance cause human cancer.  Susanna Larsson, European Journal of Cancer, online January 2, 2009. Read the rest of this entry »

In order to bring you more news and colorectal cancer research reports, we’ve developed short reviews of research and other news that has not been covered on the rest of the blog this week.  We’re including connecting links where you can find additional information.  Watch for the News in Brief at the end of the week.

Brief Research Reports

Women who have taken hormone replacement therapy after menopause had reduced risk of colorectal cancer, as high as 44 percent in those who took estrogen plus progestin using a sequential regimen for more than five years.   However, higher risks for breast cancer and for heart attack and stroke need to be considered in deciding on HRT.   Jill Johnson MPH, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention, January 1, 2009.

Patients who were at high risk of developing depression or anxiety after their cancer diagnosis benefited from a brief psychological intervention at the beginning of their treatment.  After a year they were less likely to have developed depression or anxiety than a control group who received usual care.  However, those with low risk had no benefit from the nonspecialist treatment.  C. Pitceathly, MSc., Annals of Oncology, Advance Access, January 6, 2008.

Other Colorectal Cancer Headlines

• Young colon cancer survivor Erika Kratzer is on the cover of the Colondar for the fifth year.  Diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer at 22, she’s had three surgeries and chemotherapy.  The Roanoke Times carries her story and her work with the Colon Club in developing the Colondar as an artistic project to raise colorectal cancer awareness.
• According to Reuters the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is considering covering some PET scans outside of the established registry system.  CMS has issued a draft report that proposes covering one scan to help make initial treatment plans even when patients and doctors don’t enroll in the special registry.  Final determination will be issued in April.
• Cure Magazine features an article on the Bittersweet Gene discussing KRAS and what it means to patients like Doris Banks, a 53 year old salon owner in North Carolina whose colon cancer spread to her liver.  There is also a short article for caregivers helping them understand and cope with changes in bowel function and diet after surgery.  While available online, the print magazine is free for cancer patients, survivors, and their families.