Posts tagged News
Barbers give a colon cancer “shop talk”
Aug 9th
Barber Paul Simmons, who works at Linda R Barber and Beauty in North Charleston, S.C., talks with customers about colorectal cancer screening.
The Shop Talk Movement is an initiative by the American Cancer Society, the University of South Carolina’s Center for Colon Cancer Research, the South Carolina Cancer Alliance and Tia Brewer-Footman and Gerald Footman, the owners of Hair Etc. magazine and trade expo. The movement focuses on outreach to African Americans, who may be at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Based on the premise that chair-chat during a haircut could save lives, the program has educated 130 haircare professionals about colorectal cancer and how to raise the topic with their clients. By the conclusion of the program’s pilot, it’s estimated that the trained stylists will have reached out to 2.500 community members with messages of screening and general awareness.
Click here to read more about the Shop Talk Movement.
The CCAC applauds the efforts of all parties involved in making this truly original project a reality!
Another danger faced by firefighters? Colorectal cancer and occupational risk
Aug 9th
There are numerous studies that point to sedentary work environments (the average 9-to-5 office gig) as colorectal cancer risk factors, when not balanced out by excerise and healthful eating. However, some professionals, including printing machine operators, workers in food manufacturing and workers employed in the petroleum product trade are at an increased risk due to the materials they encounter on the job. Click here to read more about the occupational risk of colorectal cancer. One of the most-documented of these risk-factor professions is firefighting.
The CCAC urges everyone to go cigarette-free to decrease their colorectal cancer risk. What about the men and women who are exposed to smoke throughout their entire careers?
An ABC News article pointed us to the case of retired Boston firefighter Tom Alden, a 30-year veteran of the profession who had been diagnosed with Stage III colorectal cancer. “I’ve sucked in a lot of smoke over the years. There’s a lot of stuff that’s burning in a house that’s harmful to you, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I got cancer. I just wouldn’t.” Click here to read the original article.
Findings of University of Cincinnati environmental health researchers indeed suggest that the protective equipment used by firefighters may not be able to protect against the cancer-causing agents they are repeatedly exposed to. Common chemicals, including benzene, styrene, chloroform and formaldehyde can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin. In addition to the risk inherent to exposure burning chemicals found in the average home, the practice of idling firetrucks exposes firefighters to harmful diesel exhaust fumes.
So in addition to the obvious dangers of the profession, firefighters may face cumulative dangers at the cellular level. Among the achievements of the Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation (FFCF) is the formation of a database tracking the occupational diseases for all firefighters in Canada and the United States, with the hopes of producing the data needed to encourage legislative action and encouraging further research.
The bottom line: Even with following the CCAC’s nutrition and lifestyle guidelines, your career may be putting you at a higher risk. Talk to your physician about early screening measures and encourage your doctor to consider your profession a heightened risk factor.
Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Registries
Jul 19th
The CCAC will be holding an important conference on the establishment of Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Registries throughout Canada on October 22, 2010 in Toronto.
A select group of Canadian experts in the fields of surgical oncology, molecular genetics, pathology and genetic counseling will come together to provide insight into topics including the establishment of new colorectal cancer registries, current issues under investigation, the importance of registries in provincial colorectal cancer screening programs and future steps in shared data capture.
The CCAC hopes that the establishment of these registries will help to provide critical information and support to people affected by hereditary colorectal cancer, their family members who may be at risk, and the physicians overseeing the management of their care by enhancing the understanding and management of hereditary syndromes.
Announcing the grand opening of the Orchard Barn Wellness Centre
Jun 30th
In 2006, rural British Columbian Susan Snow was given mere months to live. Today, she is cancer-free and keeping the promise she made to help others who have been given the diagnosis. “Your journey should leave a trail for others to follow,” she says. Last week ago, Susan opened the Orchard Barn Wellness Centre, a place of support and discussion for patients of all cancers.
The centre, located on her picturesque Erickson, BC cherry farm, houses literature on nutrition, cancer, and general health and wellness, including extensive materials from the CCAC and the BC Cancer Agency. The barn was transformed from a studio for Susan’s artwork to a comfortable, inviting atmosphere where patients can discuss their treatment journeys and receive crucial psychosocial support. “Illness is a mind and body experience, and we hope to gather interest and support from both conventional and non-conventional practitioners. Conquering illness is a balance between these two.”
Susan is also one of the many dedicated members of the CCAC Cancer Coach Program, a network of trained volunteers who work to provide emotional support and help patients navigate the healthcare system. Her wellness centre has now joined the ranks of the many diverse fundraising and support projects being completed by our Cancer Coaches across Canada, including the Kick Butt fundraising run in Winnipeg or the Slo Pitch Tournament for Hope and Awareness in Edmonton.
If you would like to be put in touch with a Cancer Coach, please call us at 1-877-50-COLON or email info@colorectal-cancer.ca.. All inquiries remain confidential.
Susan invites everyone to send her a message at suesangelnetwork@hotmail.com to join their mailing list, and looks forward to announcing the formation of specific support groups in the weeks and months to come. The Orchard Barn Wellness Centre will be a beautiful place to heal!
Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) and what the CCAC is doing to make it available
Jun 30th
Described by some as radical and others as merely progressive, HIPEC is a hot topic for some oncologists.
In late April of this year, the CCAC conducted a highly successful and effective meeting with some of the country’s most influential surgical oncologists, and we are pleased to announce that the formation of the Canadian HIPEC Collaborative Group was a result of this meeting. The consensus statement generated at the meeting is scheduled to be publicized in medical oncology journals and posted on the CCAC website in fall of 2010. We are confident that this group will become a world leader in research and data capture on the subject of the treatment!
During the fascinating HIPEC treatment procedure, the patient’s abdomen is opened surgically and a heated sterile solution of chemotherapy (such as mitomycin c, cisplatin, 5FU and oxaliplatin) is introduced into the cavity. The organs are continually bathed in the solution for a maximum of two hours. It is especially useful when cancer has spread to the peritoneum, the saran wrap-like lining of the abdomen, because this particular organ receives little blood flow and doesn’t respond well to traditional chemotherapy. The peritoneum is a common metastatic site for colorectal cancer patients.
Click here to read more about HIPEC treatment for peritoneal metastasis.
Colonoscopy and your iPhone?
Jun 29th
With hundreds of applications promising everything from neat party tricks to keen organization, the iPhone’s usefulness may have finally outdone itself!
While the upcoming Gyromaniac iPhone application doesn’t really provide a colonoscopy (thankfully), it is a potentially invaluable tool for teaching gastroenterologists and medical students about performing colonoscopies,, and about the various pathologies they may encounter on the monitor.
What else is on the horizon for colon-conscious iPhone users? Rumour has it that Subversus Interactive developer Vishal Srivastava is working on a game that allows you to use the latest iPhone’s gyroscope to manipulate your way through a human colon and other interesting interiors.
Can you think of any ways we could use this kind of technology for the good of patients and caregivers? We would love to hear your suggestions!
Click here to read the original TechCrunch article.
Bowel cancer doesn’t recognize borders
Jun 25th
Beating Bowel Cancer and Bowel Cancer Australia have welcomed the addition of the CCAC, as well as the newly formed Beat Bowel Cancer New Zealand, to the international colorectal cancer alliance known as Bowel Cancer International. We are proud to be partnering with these organizations!
Together, the four charities will lead in the global fight against colorectal cancer, which weekly claims the lives of 320 people in the UK; 73 in Australia; 175 in Canada and 24 in New Zealand. This alliance will make it easier than ever for us to share information and resources, helping each organization in its advocacy efforts and program development
Says CCAC president Barry Stein, “International cooperation bringing together the best information available on colorectal cancer will help to bring about increased awareness in the prevention of the disease and support for patients undergoing treatment. This alliance will help further the role played by patient organizations in obtaining timely access to effective treatments with the goal of improving patient outcomes.”
Click here to read the official press release.
Québécoise superstar Dominique Michel announces colon cancer diagnosis
Jun 18th
Photo: André Tremblay, archives La Presse
Dominique Michel, Québécoise comedian, actress and singer, has received a colon cancer diagnosis at the age of 77.
Born in Sorel-Tracy, the Gemini award-winning star is an Officer of the Order of Canada and was made a Knight in the Ordre national du Québec in 2002. A household name in la belle province, Dominique has starred in numerous television shows and films, has co-hosted the world-famous Just For Laughs festival and is a recurring ingredient in the success of Bye Bye, the wildly popular New Years Eve sketch comedy show. She will be undergoing surgical intervention today.
The CCAC wishes Domonique Michel a healthy treatment journey and continued laughter!
Targeted therapies in the news
Jun 18th
Targeted therapies, a possible alternative to treatments like chemotherapy, have been in the news for a number of years.
While chemo targets and kills any rapidly dividing cell (including hair, nails, lining of the digestive track), targeted therapies are directed at the very proteins that ensure the tumour’s growth or survival, but are not found in normal, healthy cells. The ultimate factor in whether or not these targeted therapies will be successful is whether or not the patient has correct gene mutations for the therapy.
Of course, it’s not as simple as any of us wish to imagine, and recent news confirms that we are still a long way from fully understanding the complex nature of cancerous tumours. For example, experimental drug PLX4032 showed incredible promise in patients suffering from melanoma, but did little to control the growth and survival of colorectal tumours with the same mutations. Click here to read more about the initial trial.
Back in February, the New York Times ran a three-part video series called A Rollercoaster Chase for a Cure, which followed four metastatic cancer patients as they participated in clinical trials for targeted therapies. It’s worth a watch, especially for the heartfelt way the third video addresses the management of patient expectations in clinical trial settings.
Cancer stem cells responsible for metastasis identified
Jun 11th
Researchers in Hong Kong may have identified a certain kind of stem cell responsible for metastasis (spread of cancer beyond the regional lymph nodes) in colorectal cancer patients. Their findings could lead to better processes for predicting a patient’s prognosis and could help pave the way for more suitable treatments for patients. Click here to read more about the study.
A cancer stem cell is thought by many scientists to be responsible for the tumor`s initiation and maintenance, and it is this type of cell that appears to be most resistant to current chemotherapies. Stem cells are unique due to their ability to divide into cells that can either remain stem cells or become cells with a specialized function- for example, brain cells or red blood cells.
Of course, this research is still in its infancy. If you`re interested in following this story, you may found this blog interesting- it compiles news stories about cancer stem cells and references specific medial articles, so you may wish to consult our Glossary of terms. Knowledge is power!
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