Christine Traxler, MD, Editor
This week's newsletter offers a variety of information on colon cancer detection, colon cancer treatment and on the latest findings in colon cancer research. Studies on genetic testing are discussed as well as the latest in biological treatment and heavy metal treatment of colon cancer.

LINK BETWEEN DIVERTICULOSIS AND COLON CANCER?

A recent study out of the Henry Ford Hospital looked into the relationship between having diverticulosis, outpockets of the colon wall that sometimes get clogged with food or stool, and colon cancer. The question was whether such patients need rigorous screening for colon cancer. The study looked at over 1,600 patients who had a colonoscopy. Those with diverticulosis had a lower incidence of colonic polyps at 24 percent as opposed to patients without diverticulosis, at 43 percent.

Read Full Article Here: Research Roundup: Team led by...
Also See Types of Colon Polyps
Also See Diverticulitis

YOGA HELPING END-STAGE CANCER PATIENTS

At hospitals and cancer centers all across the country, patients with end stage colon cancer are actually improving their situation using yoga. Early findings are looking at social and emotional improvements in colon cancer patients unless they happened to be on chemotherapy at the time. Researchers are feeling as though yoga is going to be an increasingly important complementary modality, especially when it comes to anxiety and depressive symptoms. Yoga poses are practiced in class sessions, along with breathing exercises and meditation. Sleep was improved in most patients who took the classes. The Society for Integrative Oncology has already issued guidelines for practitioners and cancer patients interested in using this therapy in order to feel better with cancer.

Read Full Article Here: Doctor's Orders: Finding a Better 'Position'...
Also See Exercise and Cancer
Also See Colon Cancer Stage 4

RARE METALS IN TREATMENT OF COLON CANCER

Some of the best treatments for colon cancer contain rare heavy metals. Researchers are coming around to believe that that such rare metals may play an additional role in the treatment of colon cancer. Many organometallic compounds such as cisplatin a metal core containing platinum. While these kinds of treatments are excellent against cancer, some cancers can become resistant to platinum. Other metals, such as ruthenium and osmium are being tried as metals which can kill cancer cells. The drugs are made using a sandwich-technique in which the metallic complexes are squashed between chemicals that have an affinity for cancer cells. The results so far have been very promising.

Read Full Article Here: Cancer Transition
Also See Colon Cancer Alternative Treatment
Also See John Kanzius

THE CANCER GENE: WOULD YOU WANT TO KNOW?

The availability of screening tests for MSH2 and MLH1 brings up a big ethical dilemma. If you could be tested for the genes, would you want to know what your chances were of getting colon polyps and colon cancer? Only five percent of all colon cancers are positive for the genes and if you have them, your chances of getting colon cancer are about 80 percent. While there has been an increase in patients getting tested for the genetic capability of getting colon cancer, most people have indicated that they don't want to know if they are at risk or not. Still, doctors are encouraging people who are at risk because of a family history of having cancer or a history of colonic polyps to be genetically tested. Such testing can increase surveillance for those who are susceptible. Genetic testing is expensive and costs between $2,000 and $3,600 to have such testing.

Read Full Article Here: Many with cancer gene don’t want to know
Also See Gardner Syndrome
Also see Genetic Testing for Colon Cancer

BIOLOGICS AND THE TREATMENT OF COLON CANCER

There is a new hero on the forefront of colon cancer treatment and that's the use of biologics. The drugs are produced by living organisms and target proteins associated with cancer. They are more easily tolerated than chemotherapy and don't have the same degree of nausea, hair loss and fatigue. Besides colon cancer, biologics have been found to be successful against breast cancer, lung cancer, leukemia and autoimmune diseases. They have increased so much in popularity that they make up a quarter of all drugs approved by the FDA. Biologics work to cut off the blood supply to colon tumors so they grow more slowly or reverse their growth. The main side effect is cost as a year’s supply can cost upwards of $100,000.

Read Full Article Here: HealthWatch: Biologics & Cancer
Also See Cancer Therapy and Research Center
Also See New Cancer Research

NEW GASTROFISH TEST FOR COLON CANCER

A US-based company has created the first tissue-based fluorescence test for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities seen in colon cancer. The test fluoresces areas of the colon that are high risk for small areas of colon cancer. Currently, it is not possible to detect the possible presence of cancer in adenomas of the colon. The GastroFISH test can change all that. It has a high degree of sensitivity and specificity so that it accurately detects the presence of cancer in adenomatous polyps within the colon wall. It is hoped that this test can better help doctors determine the incidence of cancerous changes in the polyps they remove.

Read Full Article Here: Gastrocor®Introduces New FISH Test...
Also See Current Biology News
Also See What Causes Colon Cancer

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE HIGH COST OF CANCER

According to the recent studies, American men have a 44% chance of developing cancer while the chances for women are about 37%. The general risk of developing colon cancer in the United States is about 6%. For this reason, it's important for everyone, particularly people above the age of 50 years, to go for routine screening.

Whether discovered early or late, cancer is a debilitating disease due to the care, costs and the mental and physical trauma involved. Many times the cost of treatment leaves the patient in heavy financial distress. Most insurance plans do not cover the total cost of the treatment, which leaves the patient and their family in a lurch. These days people have started purchasing supplemental cancer insurance that can help in covering otherwise uninsured expenses related to cancer illness. If you would like to learn more about supplemental cancer insurance you can click here.

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:

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