Latest News & Updates

Advocates Gather in Washington, DC for C3’s 4th Annual Conference and Lobby Day

Grassroots Action Committee Members (left to right) - Liz Dennis, Arlene Murphy, LaRisha Baker, Florence Kurttila, Pam Seijo, and Dave Larson helped to plan and organize the 2010 Call-on Congress

Today, colorectal cancer survivors, caregivers, physicians, and nurses brought their fight against colorectal cancer to Washington, DC. C3 President Carlea Bauman described the importance of their voices in the war against cancer, “colorectal cancer advocates who speak up and demand change will be the ones who make a difference in the fight against this disease.”

Even with advances in screening technology colorectal cancer continues to be the second leading cancer killer of men and women combined. In 2010, nearly 50,000 people in the United States will die from colorectal cancer. The real tragedy is that many of these deaths could be prevented if more people took advantage of colorectal cancer screening and early detection.

Over the next two days, the advocates will hear from experts about current research and cancer control programs aiming to decrease both incidence and mortality rates from colorectal cancer. Continue reading…

Posted by Catherine Knowles on March 16th, 2010
Posted in: C3 News, Policy & Advocacy News | No Comments »
Tags: Call on Congress, Department of Defense, HR 1189, HR 1330

Still Time to Register for Latina Cancer Camp in Florida

Latina cancer survivors are invited to be part of Campamento Alegria - Camp Joy — in Brandon, Florida.

Applications are still be accepted for the 2010 camp to be held March 19 through 21. There is no cost to attend, including two overnights, meals, and all activities.

If you are a Hispanic woman who has ever been diagnosed with cancer, you can get more information or register for Campemento Alegria by calling (813) 728-5895.

The theme is Reconnectandose con su Voz Interno (Reconnecting with your Inner Voice). All activities are in Spanish, with culturally relevant food and music.

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 14th, 2010
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: cancer support

Gene Signature Associated with Prognosis

Genomic Health has commercialized a new test which has been shown to be associated with risk of tumor recurrence for stage II colon cancer. They are trying to get this test on the market.

I wanted to review with you the limitations of this test, which is not as good by far as the test they have developed for breast cancer. Continue reading…

Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on March 13th, 2010
Posted in: From the Desk of Dr. Lenz | No Comments »
Tags: Treating Colorectal Cancer

Annual Colonoscopy for Lynch Syndrome

Annual colonoscopies for people with Lynch syndrome (HNPCC or hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer) successfully find cancers at an early stage.

A recent study by the German HNPCC Consortium confirmed the effectiveness of annual colonoscopies to find colorectal cancers at a curable stage. Regular colonoscopies found early cancers more often than did patient symptoms.

Current recommendations are for surveillance colonoscopies to begin by age 25, be repeated every 1 to 2 years until age 40, and then annually.

Posted by Kate Murphy on March 12th, 2010
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: colonoscopy, HNPCC, Lynch syndrome

House Budget Committee Set to Begin Reconciliation Process on Monday

The House Budget Committee is expected to begin marking up the health care reform reconciliation bill on Monday, beginning the next step in the legislative process to get a final health care reform bill sent to the President. Democrats are still awaiting a cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office, which is expected to be released at some point this weekend.

The reconciliation bill will contain changes to the Senate bill needed to get the support of House Democrats. Passing an amended bill under reconciliation rules will allow the Senate to consider and pass the changes under special rules requiring a simple majority to pass rather than a 60-vote majority. Congressional leaders hope to send a final bill to President Obama no later than the Easter Congressional recess.
Continue reading…

Posted by Catherine Knowles on March 11th, 2010
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | No Comments »
Tags: Health Care Reform, House Budget Committee, President Obama