2018: Fight CRC Patient Education and Research Year in Review

This year brought exciting updates, new funding opportunities, additional resources, and exciting advocacy panels. We have no plans of slowing down in 2019! As the year comes to an end, we spent time reflecting on some of the most exciting patient education developments and research advocacy advances. Here are the some of the most exciting highlights:

Fight CRC funds Early-Age Onset (EAO) Researchers

Recognizing that there is increase in early-age onset colorectal cancer, Fight CRC is working hard to address why this is occurring. We funded $55,000 to Dr. Christine Molmenti and Heather Hampell’s research which aims to determine the prevalence of advanced adenomas among first- degree relatives of early-age onset (EAO) colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

Federal Drug Administration Approves Larotrectinib

This month, precision medicine took the spotlight again as the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug larotrectinib (Vitrakvi(r)) developed by Bayer and Loxo Oncology. Even though this announcement only affects approximately 1% of those with colorectal cancer, this is an exciting step in research.

Fight CRC Research Advocates attended a training academy in Colorado

In August, we hosted a Research Advocacy Training and Support (RATS) Academy at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver. Fifteen research advocates, a Fight CRC board member, 12 researchers/medical professionals, and three Fight CRC staff participated in the event.

FDA approves new combination for MSI-H/dMMR metastatic CRC Patients

The FDA approved the combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab for a subset of colorectal cancer patients. The approval of this combination therapy provides another option for patients who present with MSI-H tumors.

New Fight CRC skin toxicity resources released

This year, we updated our skin toxicity Mini Magazine for patients! You can check out the update here, and stay tuned for a video in 2019 with tips for managing this side effect.

[button] Skin Tox Resources [/button]

Highlights from ASCO 2018

This year at the American Society of Cancer Oncology (ASCO) meeting, new research came out investigating the gut microbiome, immunotherapy and next generation sequencing to name a few!

American Cancer Society Lowers the Screening Age from 50 to 45

You may remember being as excited as we were to hear that the American Cancer Society (ACS) lowered their recommended colorectal cancer screening age from 50 to 45!! You can read more about what this means for patients here.

Recognizing Minority Health Month and tackling barriers

During Minority Health Month in April, Fight CRC spoke with Dr. Darrell Gray about minority health and colorectal cancer. Screening has contributed to a tremendous decline in death rates from colon and rectal cancer over the past three decades. Unfortunately, however, colorectal cancer screening rates among some minority populations remain low.

Next generation Sequencing Makes the News

This year, a next generation sequencing (NGS) test received both FDA approval and CMS coverage simultaneously. This decision will now allow for increased access to healthcare coverage for a large portion of the U.S. population.

We worked to decrease clinical trial enrollment barriers

This past year, Anjee Davis, Fight CRC president and patient advocate expert, participated in the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACSCAN) National Forum discussing the barriers and recommendations to patient enrollment. We also grew our clinical trial finder which aims to help Late-Stage MSS CRC patients find clinical trials that have the greatest potential benefit and lowest chance of failure. As you can see, there was a lot going on in 2018! We could not have done it without you. Thank you to the Fight CRC community for your commitment to patient education, research, and building a supportive, trustworthy network. We look forward to exciting new resources and research updates in 2019 and we wish you all the best in the New Year!