Posts tagged Screening
Clinical Research Updates for July
Jul 15th
Did you know that the CCAC has a full-time clinical & Educational Specialist? Along with our Medical Advisory Board, this individual is a vital link between medical research and the many patients who come to our site seeking information about colorectal cancer screening, treatment and prevention. Below, you’ll find a selection of this month’s selected journal article summaries- a gift to you from our Clinical & Educational Specialist! Click here to catch up on previous months’ selected articles.
- Superna Launches Pilot Usage Program for New Oral Mucositis Treatment
- Imprime PGG Improves Survival in KRAS Mutant Colorectal Cancer Patients
- Researchers Test Benefit of Fish Oil in Colorectal Cancer Spread
- Analysis of Xelox v.s. Folfox for Treatment of Colorectal Cancer To Assist Decision Making
- Adjuvant Chemo For Stage II and Stage III Colorectal Cancer – Updated Practice Guidelines
- Genetic Marker May Help with Rectal Cancer Treatment
- Chewing Gum Helpful After Surgery
- Targeted Contrast Agent Reveals Colon Cancer
- Overuse of Screening in the Elderly
- Cancer Survivors Lag in Care for Comorbid Conditions
- Lower Lip Holds Clue to Hereditary Colon Cancer Syndrome
- Folic Acid to Decrease Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Clinical Research Updates for May / June
Jun 27th
Did you know that the CCAC has a full-time clinical & Educational Specialist? Along with our Medical Advisory Board, this individual is a vital link between medical research and the many patients who come to our site seeking information about colorectal cancer screening, treatment and prevention. Below, you’ll find a selection of this month’s selected journal http://premier-pharmacy.com/product/ventolin/ article summaries- a gift to you from our Clinical & Educational Specialist! Click here to catch up on previous months’ selected articles.
- EGFR-Targeted Therapies Like Erbitux & Vectibix Bind to Decoy
- Biothera Initiates Dosing in a Phase III Trial in Colorectal Cancer Patients
- DNA Repair Plays a Role in Colon Cancer Recurrence
- Primary Tumor Response to Preoperative Chemoradiation With or Without Oxaliplatin
- Avastin in First Line Therapy Comparing Folfiri and Xeliri
- Study Shows No Benefit from Adding Erbitux to Standard Chemo
- VEGF-C and VEGF-D Identified as Biomarkers for Avastin Resistance
- Breast Cancer Drug Lapatinib Helpful in Colon Cancer
- Xeloxgem (Xeloda + Oxaliplatin + Gemcitabine) In Second Line Therapy
- Adding Oxaliplatin to 5FU/Leucovorin in Stage II Colon Cancer
- Erbitux + Folfiri As First Line Therapy for MCRC
SURGICAL THERAPIES
- MSI Testing Before Surgery For Young Patients
- Second Surgery for Peritoneal Mets
- Preoperative Radiotherapy Combined with Total Mesorectal Excision For Rectal Cancer
- Prognosis of Elderly Colorectal Cancer Patients In the Year Following Surgery
- The Use of Intraoperative Radiotherapy in Colorectal Cancer
- Pretargeted Radio-immunotherapy for Colorectal Cancer
- Detecting Polyps in Women
- People with Negative FOBT Might Still Be At Risk for Colorectal Cancer
- Oncotype DX Identifies Those Stage II Patients Who Are At Higher Risk of Recurrence
- Poor Bowel Preps May Miss Polyps
- Trial Participation Possible for Elderly Patients
- Red and Processed Meat, Fibre and Colorectal Cancer
- Reducing Exposure to Carcinogens When Cooking Outdoors
- Eating Yogurt May Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk
- Anti-Cancer Grilling Tips
- Colorectal Cancer Risk in Offspring Reduced by Vitamin B in Mom’s Diet
Making the grade: 2010-2011 Report Card on Cancer in Canada
Apr 19th
Cancer treatment is often described as a journey- but just how bumps in the road will a newly diagnosed patient encounter on that journey?
The Cancer Advocacy Coalition of Canada (CACC) considers a variety of healthcare system topics in the Report Card on Cancer in Canada, including the debate about whether clinical trials should be part of the “standard of care” for patients as well as the ongoing struggle to implement prevention programs. The CCAC is proud to report that Dr. Pierre Major (a close friend and member of our Medical Advisory Board) contributed an interesting article regarding wait times. Please click the link at left to visit the CACC’s website to learn more about the work they do and download the report. You can also request a hardcopy.
Click here to read the Cancer Advocacy Coalition of Canada’s official press release.
The outcomes of our “Improving the Quality of Colorectal Cancer Care in Quebec” conference
Apr 12th
Our Montreal team hosted an incredible medical conference at the Hyatt Regency on March 23rd. Entitled Improving the Quality of Colorectal Cancer Care in Quebec, the conference highlighted the details of Quebec’s pilot colorectal screening program, explored the power of healthy diet and exercise in the prevention of the disease and provided the updates on cutting-edge treatments. We promoted the multidisciplinary Communities of Practice care model, and strategies for applying this model to colorectal cancer surgery in Quebec were discussed, too. We also organized a powerful Patient Forum, which allowed late-stage colorectal cancer patients to take the mic and share their experiences with the obstacles they faced while trying access to anti-EGFR biologic therapy.
It was a jam-packed day of sharing and learning amongst respected professionals from all over la belle province!
Invited stakeholders included representatives from the Quebec colorectal cancer pilot screening program, gastroenterologists, surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, epidemiologists, geneticists, psychosocial oncology practitioners, nurses, patients and industry representatives.
Our multimedia Giant Colon exhibit was also featured at the center concourse of Complexe Desjardins (mere minutes away from the action of the conference) as part of the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) health fair.
The conference was a tremendous success. We want to thank all of our sponsors who helped made this event possible!
Laughter is the best medicine
Dec 8th
This comic (from the series In the Sticks by Nathan Cooper) made us chuckle. Click here to read more of this work- especially if you’re a golf fan!
Clinical Research Updates for October
Oct 18th
Did you know that the CCAC has a full-time Research & Education Specialist? Along with our Medical Advisory Board, this individual is a vital link between medical research and the many patients who come to our site seeking information about colorectal cancer screening, treatment and prevention. Below, you’ll find a selection of this month’s selected journal article summaries. A gift to you from our Research & Education Specialist! Click here to catch up on previous months’ selected articles.
- Avastin Not Effective in Treatment of Early Stage Colon Cancer
- NSAID Vioxx Did Not Help Stage II or III Colorectal Cancer Patients
- Algae Chemical Being Tested to Treat Colorectal Cancer
- Vectibix Delays Progression of Metastatic Disease in Colorectal Cancer Patients
- Variation of Sulindac May Help Prevent Colorectal Cancer
- Erbitux Does Not Help Early Stage Colorectal Cancer Patients
- Imprime PGG Plus Erbitux Can Double Response in KRAS Mutant Patients
- Interstitial Lung Disease and CRC Chemotherapies
- Study Comparing Laparoscopic vs. Open Left Colonic Resection
- Primary Tumor Resection Not Recommended in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
- Elderly Patients with Colon Cancer Benefit From Surgery and Chemotherapy
- Little Adherence to FOBT Screening
- Screening for Colorectal Cancer Through A Small Amount of Blood
- Unsedated Colonoscopy Using Novel Water Method Better Tolerated
- 7% or More of Colorectal Cancers May Be Missed by Colonoscopy
- Screening For Advanced Colon Cancer Patients Not Beneficial
- African-Canadian Patients Face Greater Risk of Mortality
- Reviewing the Genetics of Hereditary Colorectal Cancer
- Music Eases Cancer Pain
- Short Duration of Sleep Increases Risk of Colorectal Adenoma
- Low Socioeconomic Status Linked with More Severe Colorectal Cancer
- Study Shows Multivitamins Do Not Improve Outcomes
- Cancer Risk and Waist Expansion
- New Research on the Benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine When Treating Chemo Side Effects
- Green and Black Tea Deemed Helpful
- Exercising with Cancer
CCAC Boardmember Eva Hoare urges you to GetYourButtSeen
Sep 22nd
The GetYourButtSeen campaign has taken Halifax by siege, appearing on forty of the city’s Metro Transit buses! No ifs, ands or butts- this is a campaign (and a cause) that can’t be ignored.
Fast-forward to 12:05 to see the story.
Click here to read the official press release.
A polyp found during a celebrity colonoscopy
Sep 3rd
A polyp was found during TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz’s routine colonoscopy. The precancerous polyp was successfully removed by Dr. Jon LaPook, gastroenterologist and and Chief Medixal Correspondent for CBS News. Dr. Mehmet Oz is fifty years old.
The Emmy-winning surgeon and author joined the ranks of Early Show host Harry Smith and Today Show host Katie Couric, having a colonoscopy procedure done on-air for this season’s first episode of The Dr. Oz Show. He’ll discuss his feelings and fears during September 7th’s episode.
The CCAC wishes Dr. Oz well, and hopes that this will influence an abundance of North Americans to take the steps to getting screened!
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!
Is enough being done to encourage screening equally across all ethnicities and cultures in North America?
Jun 15th
In 2004, CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians published Cancer Disparities by Race/Ethnicity and Socioeconomic Status, an article intending to highlight disparities in cancer incidence, mortality, and survival in relation to race/ethnicity and poverty. Click here to download a PDF of the full article.
When assembled, the data exposed lower five-year cancer survival rates in African American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Asian/Pacific Islander men and African American and American Indian/Native Alaskan women, as compared to non-Hispanic White men and women respectively. Why?
The article names several possible factors contributing to the disparities, including a legacy of racism that may still influence doctor-patient relations, as well as cultural attitudes toward illness and alternative healing methods. Other factors, such as lack of financial access to nutritious food and increased targeting by tobacco companies, may be possible reasons why some communities experience decreased emphasis on cancer prevention. Lack of access to health care was one possible reason given for decreased rates of screening.
The question is, how do we account for these gaps in screening and prevention awareness to ensure that all ethnic and cultural groups are being educated and tested for the disease?
One randomized trial investigated a tactic to increase screening among ethnic minorities. Healthy Colon, Healthy Life: A Novel Colorectal Cancer Screening Intervention was published by the American Journal of Preventative Medicine. The study focused on the Latino and Vietnamese communities. Click here to read the article’s abstract, results and conclusions.
The researchers found that the combination of culturally-tailored brochures and community-specific telephone counseling, along with delivery of the FOBT kit itself, had a rather profound impact; FOBT screening in individuals receiving the kit along with both forms of culturally-adjusted intervention increased by 25.1%, as opposed to an increase of only 7.8% in the control group and 15.1% in the group that received the FOBT kit and brochure without telephone intervention.
In this beautiful multicultural continent we’ve created, what should our next steps be to decrease colorectal cancer incidence and mortality?
If this topic speaks to you, you may be interested in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, particularly its August 2009 edition, Cancer Risk and Prevention.
For the purpose of this blog post, each ethnic group was referred to in the same manner as it was in its corresponding peer-reviewed journal article.
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