Colorectal Cancer Updates
Items Of Interest In The News
Researchers issued a recommendation in the July 2010 issue of the American Society for Clinical Oncology Post that states cetuximab should not be used in patients with Stage III colon cancer. It remains a valuable tool in treating patients with advanced colorectal cancers whose tumors do not harbor a KRAS mutation and can be either administered as a single agent or with chemotherapy.
Screenings for colorectal and breast cancer are saving many thousands of lives but the country could do much better at reducing deaths, the CDC says.
Surveillance colonoscopy is effective and cost-effective when targeted to high-risk patients, according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute.
A new study released by UNC Chapel Hill on June 22, 2010, suggests a change in balance between the good and bad bacteria in our gut could be the 'harbinger' of colon cancer.
First study to demonstrate a link between smoking and flat adenomas; may explain earlier onset of CRC in smokers.
Adding the drug cetuximab (Erbitux) to standard treatments does not help patients with early stage colon cancer- but does help patients with advanced disease- according to a study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago.
Rush University Medical Center is testing whether celecoxib, known by its brand name Celebrex, can help prevent the growth of precancerous polyps that form in the colon, rectum and small intestine of children with an inheritable genetic disease called familial adenomatous polyposis
A research article published May 7, 2010, in the World Journal of Gastroenterology addresses the association of PPAR-y gene polymorphism (34c>G) and colon cancer. They found the G allele of the receptor gene decreased the risk of colon cancer, which is meaningful to early diagnosis, prevention and individual-based treatment of colon cancer.
Research at UC San Diego could portend an eventual new form of treatment for people with familial adenomatous polyposis or FAP. They found vast numbers of bacteria found in the GI tract and lining -usually a sign of healthy homeostasis- can, in susceptible hosts, be detrimental.
Older women with diabetes face more than double the risk of some types of colorectal cancer.
DNA stool testing is more likely to find early stage cancers and precancerous growths than current tests, researchers find.
Research shows that patients experience roughly a 59% co-pay savings on Medicare colonoscopy services, and overall, ASCs save Medicare approximately $2 billion annually.
Approximately half of Americans living with colorectal cancer will develop liver metastases at some point during the course of the disease and can benefit from this minimally invasive treatment.
Patients who tested positive for higher levels of a genetic biomarker called microRNA (miRNA) had increased risk of death after being treated for colorectal cancer.
Research published in the April 13 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine reviewed over 100 studies concerning CRC screening that took place between 1998 and 2009.
Study found 75% depend on fecal occult blood test in office, not home tests.
Study proves that Propofol is safe when administered by trained professionals.
A number of journals have reported that an increase in spending on cancer research and care is straining the US health system and the wallets of cancer patients.
Despite progress, screening rates still lower than ideal.
Following a negative complete colonoscopy, those who had their colonoscopies at a hospital and had their procedures performed by non-GIs may be at a significantly increased risk of developing subsequent CRC study says.
A huge study of nearly half a million people found that older men and women who consumed large amounts of dairy foods were at a reduced risk of developing digestive cancers.
Millions are missing the opportunity for a potentially life saving check for the nation's no. 2 cancer killer- colorectal cancer. Perhaps this cheap and convenient home test will help.
Keryx, FDA agree on colon cancer drug study goals: the study will determine whether or not perifosine (KRX-0401) significantly increases survival in patients with colorectal cancer.
Scientists found that those with the highest levels of Vitamin D in their blood had as much as a 40% lower risk for developing CRC than those with the lowest level.
2 Studies Find Benefits, But Others Question Validity of the Link
An annual report on the state fo cancer in the US finds that death rates from colorectal cancer declined 3.9% in men and 3.4% in women
The findings in a University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) study indicate that although BMI and co-morbidity are independent predictors of poor survival for all patients, these factors alone are not responsible for the increased rate of deaths in African-Americans.
The risk of cancer can be dramatically reduced through everyday choices about diet, exercise and tobacco use, according to the November issue of 'Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource.'
New research published in the November issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that African-Americans are more likely to be diagnosed and less likely to undergo surgical procedures thatn Caucasians.
The screening guidelines were released in late 2008, but at the ACG conference in San Diego (October 2009), it seemed few were aware of the latest recommendations. Please read-on for the details and highlighted changes.
The effectiveness of a screening colonoscopy may depend on the time of day it is performed
'Outpatient Surgery' e-weekly news provides in-depth look at the latest propofol guidelines
US Department of Health and Human Services issues new regulations that protect Americans undergoing genetic testing from having their results used against them by insurance companies.
Does the colon really need cleansing?
According to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, investing in colorectal cancer screening programs could cut the cost of future treatments in half
Johns Hopkins University researchers say they have figured out how bacteria that cause diarrhoea may also be the culprit in some colon cancers
A new study suggests that taking aspirin regularly may improve survival rates and inhibit the spread of cancer to other organs.
Out of six CRC screening methods, PCPs most frequently recommend colonoscopy (95% of the time)
The camera pill is proven to be not as effective as colonoscopy in detecting polyps.
South Dakota develops statewide colorectal screening program for the uninsured over age 50.
A Third Study Confirms Anesthesia Improves Outcomes in Colonoscopies
Research being presented at Digestive Disease Week offers hope that the next generation tests will have significant improvements in accuracy, processing speed, ease of patient use and affordability.
A study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology has found evidence that doctors are more likely to detect adenomas during morning colonoscopies than in afternoon colonoscopies
'Better polyp detection with deep sedation' confirmed by recent study.
Study's findings could have life saving potential