Honoring Dr. Ahnen: Introducing Fight CRC’s Genetics and Family History Advisory Council

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Fight CRC is excited to introduce our Genetics and Family History Advisory Council in honor of Dr. Dennis Ahnen, a Medical Advisory Board member and legend in the field of colorectal cancer prevention and control.

Members of the Advisory Council include:

  • Heather Hampel, MS, LGC
  • Swati G. Patel, MD, MS
  • Peter P. Stanich, MD
  • Jennifer M. Weiss, MD, MS
  • Jennifer Kolb, MD, MS

Genetics and Family History is a Priority in the Path to a Cure

Fight CRC has intentionally focused on the impacts of genetics and family history for colorectal cancer (CRC) since inception. This work has grown with the help of strategic partnerships with the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), corporate partnerships, and the growing voice fo the advocate community.

A big voice in this work was the late Dr. Dennis Ahnen, a thought leader in genetic and familial syndromes and a member of Fight CRC's medical advisory board. Dennis was a cancer prevention and control guru, co-creating several hereditary clinics in his home state of Colorado, and a world expert in cancer polyp prevention. To our great sadness, Dennis passed away in August 2020 and we dedicate this council in his honor.

Dr. Ahnen's Work Continues Through the Genetics & Family History Advisory Council

Dr. Ahnen made a measurable impact on patients and their families. In all of his clinical and research endeavors, he stressed the need to ensure the work and priorities of CRC research and practice made a measurable impact. One of those areas in particular was identifying families at higher risk due to family history or genetic predisposition to CRC, and advocating for increased and earlier screening and better surveillance for that group.

Continuing this research in an effort to identify cancer risk and reduce early-age onset (EAO) CRC by educating about increased and earlier screening and connection to other cancers that may have similar genetic inheritance patterns, the goal of the Genetics and Family History Advisory Council is to passionately move this work ahead to save lives.

Andi Dwyer, advisor to Fight CRC, with Dr. Ahnen

We thank the advisory council members for their time and for connecting their talents to this great mission.

5 thoughts on “Honoring Dr. Ahnen: Introducing Fight CRC’s Genetics and Family History Advisory Council

  1. Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to
    your website? My website is in the exact same area of
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  2. Wow! Thank you for listening to the passionate plea of those individuals and families with inherited risk colorectal cancer. One individual, monumental impact on cancer prevention and early detection.

  3. I can never thank you enough for the passion and dedication you have demonstrated throughout the years for the colon cancer cause. This has been an issue dear to Dennis’ heart and thank you so much for honoring him in this way. He would truly be touched; we all are truly touched. Sincerely, Carol Ahnen

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