August 02, 2009
Catherine H. Fincher, Editor
IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS IN NEW DRUGS AND THERAPIES
The Colonoscopy and the 5-FU drug are standard treatments for colon cancer, now, but first they had to go through the research and clinical trials. Many new and exciting treatments are still being developed and survival rates have improved during the last 10 years.
We scan the news every day to keep up with the latest advances from all over the world. We are also watching the health care debate and reporting on how it will affect our ability to receive the level of health care we have come to expect. We have a web page dedicated to explaining how research is financed and carried out. You can visit it to learn the basics and read about the new drugs, medical devices and experimental therapies that are available.
RESEARCH
Although the poor economy has caused a cut back in the money spent on research, scientists keep at it and we have been reporting some exciting new developments in the newsletter.
We want you to know about all the pages we’ve written on the latest treatments available to colon cancer patients. When you open the home page of Colon Cancer Resource, click on the research button on the left side of the page. From there you can follow other links to pages that will talk about all the latest news in cancer treatments. You can learn why it’s important to understand what experimental drugs are available to you by clicking on the link on the bottom of the Colon Cancer Research page. Check out the Biology News to find out how new discoveries about DNA have led to new therapies. There’s much more, so take a look around and learn as much as you can, because the more you know about colon cancer treatments, the better your chances of survival beyond 5 years are, and that’s why we’re here.
Read Full Article Here: Colon Cancer Research
Also See New Cancer Research
SURVIVAL RATES INCREASE FOR COLON CANCER PATIENTS
Researchers conclude that improved treatments and better surgical techniques are responsible for increasing survival numbers for colon cancer patients.
From 1990-1997, 9.1% of patients diagnosed with colon cancer survived for 5 years. Thirteen percent of patients diagnosed in between 1998-2000, survived for 5 years, and those who were diagnosed from 2001-2003 had a 5 year survival rate of 19.2%. Tasheema Prince quotes Dr. Scott Kopetz’s emphasis on the need for expanding chemotherapy options for advanced stage colon cancer patients who have begun outliving the therapies that are available to them right now.
Read Full Article Here: Study Sheds Light on ...
Also See Colon Cnacer Survival Statistics
Also See Colon Cancer Survivability
COLON CANCER SURVIVORS
Lawrence Loh, of Brunei, found out he had advanced colon cancer when he was 49. His doctors gave him 2 years to live. But his youngest daughter, Zephyrin, begged him not to leave her, and he promised he wouldn’t.
He’s 56 now and, according to Bandar Seri Begawan, Zephyrin’s loving words gave him the courage to fight. He sold his houses and cars to pay for his treatment, but he says that watching his little girl grow up is worth more than anything.
Loh shares his experience with other cancer patients in his book, “Thank Goodness I Have Cancer,” and he founded the first free advisory organization for cancer patients in Brunei. People all over the world seek his advice about fighting cancer.
Read Full Article Here: Cancer Fighter Comes On Top
Also See Cancer Coping with Cancer
Submit Your Story Here
CONGRESS CONSIDERS PROPOSAL THAT WOULD SEVERELY REDUCE ACCESS TO MEDICAL IMAGING
As Congress debates a proposal to reduce reimbursement for CTs and MRIs, the country’s leading patient support groups gathered in Washington to urge Obama to continue to make medical imaging screenings available to the public.
The cuts were suggested by a Medicare Payments Advisory Commission after they did a survey of MRs and CTs in 6 metropolitan areas.
Thirteen advocacy groups signed a letter urging congress not to pass legislation to cut Medicare payments for these tests because it would severely limit the ability of senior citizens, women and particularly black women, to get permission to have an MR or CT. Andy Spiegel reports that these groups stress the importance of having these tests done to the successful treatment and survival of cancer.
Read Full Article Here:Patient Advocacy Groups Urge...
Also See Cancer Costs
CANCER PATIENTS GET FINANCIAL HELP IN ARIZONA
Arizona Assistance In Health Care Inc. is one of 4 non-profit organizations that will begin a program to allot as much a $250.00 a month to help pay utility bills, car payments and rent for cancer patients. This is good news for people struggling to pay their medical bills while missing time from work while undergoing treatment for cancer.
Cecilia Chan describes the relief that Beth Gomez felt when she was struggling to pay her bills. She couldn’t manage co-pays, doctor’s bills, medicine and all the household expenses. The extra money allowed her to concentrate on getting better.
Read Full Article Here:Cancer patinets Get Help on Bills
Also See Hospital Insurance Concerns
DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL STORY ABOUT COLON CANCER?
It is our heartfelt desire that you become a part of the Colon Cancer Resource website and contribute your personal experience and stories regarding colon cancer so that others may benefit. Your story may help inspire someone in their fight against colon cancer. Your tips, experiences and advice are all welcome and will be published here. You can remain anonymous if you choose. It's easy to contribute. After you post your story, other visitors can comment and contribute to your story and if you choose, you will be notified by email when this happens. You can submit your own story and read about other peoples experience by selecting one of the following links:
Colonoscopy Story:
Treatment Story:
Other Topic Story: