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CCR News, Issue #069 -- New Enzyme Detected to Find Cancer Earlier September 16, 2011 |
Christine Traxler, MD, Editor
DECREASING FREQUENCY OF COLONOSCOPY MAY BE OKAYAccording to German researchers, the person who, at age fifty, has no polyps or other signs of colon cancer may be able to delay having the next one or may be able to forego having another one at all. The colonoscopy, which can cost up to $3000 to perform is an excellent test for colon cancer but may not be needed as frequently as once thought. The current recommendation is to screen for colon cancer every 10 years, beginning at age 50.
STRIDES FOR LIFE COLON CANCER WALK/RUNThe San Francisco Bay Area Strides for Life is a non-profit organization that was founded in memory of Dylan Cappel, who succumbed to colon cancer at age 23. The walk run donates a hundred percent of its earnings toward providing free colon cancer screening to the uninsured individual. Walkers and bikers are welcomed for this four mile trek and participants raise money for their participation. The organization holds a yearly Get your Rear in Gear Cancer Walk or Run.
FAMOUS COLON CANCER SURGEON DIESWilliam Wolff MD, a surgeon who dedicated his life to the treatment of colon cancer, recently died in his 90s. He worked primarily in the 1960s to develop a way to probe the colon with a flexible tube attached to electronic sensors. He is accredited with developing the prototype for the colonoscopy. Currently, more than 1.6 million colonoscopy screenings are done each year because of Dr. Wolff's pioneering research and development. He also introduced the wire loop that was used to snare and cauterize polyps found on exam. It made it unnecessary to undergo a second procedure in many cases.
HARVARD SCIENTISTS DISCOVER WHY ERBITUX SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORKColon cancer sometimes is resistant to Erbitux, a commonly used chemotherapy agent, and now Harvard scientists might know why. They believe they can overcome this resistance so that Erbitux can work again. It appears that the cancer activates additional cell-promoting molecules, sidestepping the effectiveness of the drug. Erbitux, which is a commonly used drug in breast and colon cancer chemotherapy has been in use for many years. It is believed that by combining chemotherapy drugs, the combination drugs will be effective against colon and other cancers.
NEW ENZYME DETECTED TO FIND COLON CANCER EARLIERResearchers at the University of Colorado have found a new cancer marker for colon cancer that might, if used properly, eliminate the need for most colonoscopies. There is an enzyme, known as ALDH1B1, is found in the blood and feces of people suffering from early to late stage colon cancer. The study came out of initial research on alcohol metabolism. It was found that those with cancerous polyps of the colon were more likely to be positive for the enzyme. Detection in the blood is a simple measure so that, in the future, colon cancer may be detected without invasive testing.
TAKING FOLATE MAY PREVENT COLON CANCERA US-based new study on the use of folate against colon cancer has found that those who take more folate have lower risks for developing cancer of the colon or rectum. This study debunked an earlier study that suggested that folic acid increased colon cancer risk. The study looked at half a million middle aged or elderly individuals and monitored serum folic acid levels compared with colon cancer risk. The risk clearly went down when people had an increase in serum folic acid levels.
The faces of colon cancer are looking younger and younger. The United States Preventative Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society recommend colon cancer screening at the age of 50. Yet, dying of colon cancer at the age of 40 is no longer an exception nor is it a rare phenomenon. There is an increasingly compelling evidence that the incidence of colon cancer among people in their thirties and forties is rising at an alarming rate. Please join me on my quest to get the American Cancer Society and the United States Preventative Task Force to review and change their colon cancer screening guidelines to start colon cancer screening at age 40 for the general population and at 35 for people who have compelling risk factors such as a family history of colon cancer.Effective cancer treatment is nowhere in the horizon, so early detection is the key to survival. One more life needlessly lost to colon cancer is one life too many. The purpose of changing the guidelines as mentioned above is to pave the road to get insurance companies to pay for screening colonoscopies at the ages of 35 and 40. Please sign the petition make sure to forward it to your friends.Your collaboration is greatly appreciated. The Quest to Change the Colon Cance Screening Check out the eBook Store! We've written several e-books in plain english that you may find helpful in your battle against cancer.
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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