Colonoscopy Beats 'Camera Pill' at Catching Colon Cancer

But less invasive detection method still shows promise, scientists say WEDNESDAY, July 15 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers had high hopes for a minimally invasive cancer-screening technique known as capsule endoscopy, but the "camera pill" appears to be less effective than standard colo...

Researchers identify individuals at risk for developing colon cancer

A new study identifies a group of individuals at increased risk for developing colon cancer and holds the promise for developing new tailored cancer treatments. The study in this week's issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) is by Sanford Markowitz, M.D., Ph.D., the...

Inoperable Colon Cancer Responds to New Treatment

Individuals from 26 U.S. states and four other countries have been among the first to use NeoPlas Innovation's new protocol. Nashville, Tenn. (Vocus) June 16, 2009 -- With an extensive, inoperable colon cancer and few options available, a Tennessee patient is seeing h...

Racial Clusters Seem to Affect Access to Colon Care

U.S. areas with more black residents lack specialists, study shows TUESDAY, June 16 (HealthDay News) -- Black Americans appear to have less access to colorectal cancer specialists, which means they may be less likely to receive timely and appropriate treatments, researchers say. In ...

Worth of Sigmoidoscopy Screening for Colon Cancer Still Uncertain

Some reduction in mortality rates found, but experts say more follow-up needed MONDAY, June 1 (HealthDay News) -- Patients checked for colon cancer with a procedure called flexible sigmoidoscopy showed no significant reduction in risk over seven years, but the screening did seem to low...

Avastin Shows No Benefit Against Early Stage Colon Cancer

'Disappointing' results may yet be reversed with longer-term study, researchers say SATURDAY, May 30 (HealthDay News) -- The cancer drug Avastin, widely used for lung, breast and metastatic colorectal cancers, appears ineffective for patients with early stage colon cancer, a result the...

Avastin Unsuccessful as Adjuvant Therapy in Setting of Stage II and III Colon Cancer but May Be Effective if Given for Longer Duration

Cancer researchers from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) and Allegheny General Hospital (AGH) in Pittsburgh reported today at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Orlando that use of the drug bevacizumab (Avastin) in combination ...

Chemo Alone Is Best for Advanced Colon Cancer

Better drugs have rendered surgery unnecessary in most cases, study finds SATURDAY, May 30 (HealthDay News) --Surgery is no longer the best treatment option for most patients with advanced colorectal cancer that has spread to other organs, a new study suggests. Immediate colon resec...

1 in 10 advanced colon cancer patients worry about prescription drug costs

ORLANDO, Fla.--The vast majority of advanced colon cancer patients in a clinical trial were not concerned about the cost of prescription drugs for managing chemotherapy side effects, such as infection, pain and nausea and few adopted strategies to reduce drug cost burdens after joining the clinica...

Chemotherapy combination outcomes differ for aged, younger colon cancer patients

ORLANDO, Fla.--The combination of chemotherapies 5FU and oxaliplatin compared to 5FU alone after surgery for colon cancer decreases colon cancer recurrence and promotes longer survival for patients under 70 -- but not for those who are older, according to Mayo Clinic and Dana-Farber Cancer Institu...

One in ten advanced colon cancer patients worry about prescription drug costs

ORLANDO, Fla.--The vast majority of advanced colon cancer patients in a clinical trial were not concerned about the cost of prescription drugs for managing chemotherapy side effects, such as infection, pain and nausea and few adopted strategies to reduce drug cost burdens after joining the clinica...

More Living Longer With Advanced Colon Cancer

Study found dramatic gains in both short-term and long-term survival rates WEDNESDAY, May 27 (HealthDay News) -- Over the past 15 years, the average survival rate for patients battling advanced colorectal cancer has increased dramatically, new research indicates, due in equal measure t...

Is there any association between COX2 and colon cancer?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are known to reduce the risk of colon cancer, act directly on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and reduce its activity. Population studies have found an association of inherited variations in the COX2 gene with colon cancer risk, but others were unable ...

Gene Screen May Predict Colon Cancer's Return

That knowledge could guide important treatment decisions, experts say THURSDAY, May 14 (HealthDay News) -- The first genomic test aimed at predicting colon cancer recurrence may help individualize treatment for patients, leading to less toxic and more targeted therapy choices, scientis...

Genomic Health's Oncotype DX(R) Colon Cancer Test Predicts Individualized Recurrence Risk for Stage II Colon Cancer Patients

-Positive Results from Landmark Validation Trial Highlighted Today at American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Presscast- -Genomic Health Plans to Launch Oncotype DX Colon Cancer Test in Early 2010- REDWOOD CITY, Calif., May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genomic Health, I...

A surprise 'spark' for pre-cancerous colon polyps

SALT LAKE CITY Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah studied the events leading to colon cancer and found that an unexpected protein serves as the "spark" that triggers formation of colon polyps, the precursors to cancerous tumors. "Our findings will certain...

Decision by Medicare's CMS to Deny Coverage for 'Virtual' Colon Cancer Tests Underscores Lack of Evidence on Cancer Prevention

BETHESDA, Md., May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to deny payment for CT colonography, also known as "virtual" colonoscopy, a radiographic examination of the abdomen, underscores the lack of sufficient evidence on the test...

New study argues for CT colonography as primary colon cancer screening test

CT colonography allows radiologists to predict, with a high degree of confidence, whether or not a polyp needs to be evaluated through colonoscopy or removed through polypectomy, according to a study performed at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, WI. ...

HRT May Protect Women From Colon Cancer

Finding echoes earlier research involving hormone therapy WEDNESDAY, April 22 (HealthDay News) -- Older women using hormone replacement therapy appear to have a 28 percent reduction in their risk of developing colorectal cancer, a new study found. But researchers don't yet know why...

Hormone therapy offers potential protective effect against colon cancer in older women

DENVER In a large study, a national team of researchers led by Mayo Clinic scientists observed that self-reported use of hormone therapy was associated with a significantly lower colorectal cancer risk. However, the mechanisms for the apparent protective association are still unclear. The stud...

Gene Mutation Doubles Risk of Aggressive Colon Cancer in Blacks

Study found whites much less likely to have this variant WEDNESDAY, April 1 (HealthDay News) -- A genetic mutation may explain why blacks are more likely than whites to have a more aggressive form of colorectal cancer, U.S. researchers report. "Several studies have identified a disp...

Genetic link uncovered in disparate colon cancer death

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. A new study reveals the first-ever genetic link to the reason African-Americans are at increased risk of dying from colon cancer. The discovery by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is focused on a protein variant called Pro72 identified through genet...

Pitt vaccine to prevent colon cancer being tested in patients

PITTSBURGH, March 19 Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have begun testing a vaccine that might be able to prevent colon cancer in people at high risk for developing the disease. If shown to be effective, it might spare patients the risk and inconvenience of repeated i...

Northern California Cancer Center Study Seeks to Improve Colon Cancer Screening in Vietnamese Communities

Work tailors screening interventions to Vietnamese populations FREMONT, Calif., March 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Northern California Cancer Center ( NCCC ) -- www.nccc.org -- is conducting a first-of-its-kind study of interventions to improve colon cancer screening rates ...

Understand Colon Cancer with MyBiopsy.Org; Schedule a Screening Test at MyHealthTestReminder.Org

Pathologists provide information on this potentially life-threatening disease during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month NORTHFIELD, Ill., March 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Colon cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women in the United States, excluding skin cancer. ...

Keep Your Colon Healthy With Exercise, Healthy Foods

U-M expert says regular colon cancer screening should start at age 50 ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Most adults would rather keep talk about colons behind the bathroom door. It's time to talk, says Kim Turgeon, MD, FACP, gastroenterologist in Internal Medicine at t...

Local Gastroenterology Practice Gives Back to the Community During Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Digestive Health Specialists physicians will provide 50 free colonoscopies to patients impacted by the recent economic downturn. Winston-Salem, NC (PRWEB) February 27, 2009 -- On Saturday, March 14, the physicians at Digestive Health Specialists (DHS) will donate their ...

Mail and electronic reminders may increase colon cancer screening

Mailed reminders to patients appear to promote colon cancer screening, according to a report in the February 23 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine , one of the JAMA/Archives journals. In addition, electronic reminders to physicians appear to increase screening among patients with more frequ...

Calcium Helps Ward Off Colon Cancer

Effect is strongest for women, study finds, doesn't extend to other malignancies MONDAY, Feb. 23 (HealthDay News) -- High dietary intake of calcium may reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer, especially for women, but has no apparent effect in reducing other malignancies, a U.S. Nat...

Gene Test May Help Predict Colon Cancer's Return

A marker in lymph nodes points to more persistent tumors, scientists say TUESDAY, Feb. 17 (HealthDay News) -- A genetic test may better help survivors of colorectal cancer determine their risk of recurrence, a new study finds. A report in the Feb. 18 issue of the Journal of the Am...

Drug Inhibits Colon Cancer in Mice

Treated with enzastaurin, even tumors that did develop weren't as advanced, study finds THURSDAY, Feb. 12 (HealthDay News) -- A drug called enzastaurin significantly reduced the development of colon cancer in mice, and tumors that did develop were less advanced and aggressive than thos...

Rural Areas Able to Increase Colon Cancer Screenings

As population ages, study finds destination states seeing higher volume of procedures THURSDAY, Feb. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Arizona health-care providers can handle a significant increase in patients wanting colorectal cancer screening as baby boomers continue to flock to the desert st...

Study shows that primary care doctors miss opportunities to recommend colon cancer screening

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) While it is known that patients with few primary care doctor's office visits are less likely to receive colorectal cancer screening, new research indicates that even patients who see their physicians regularly also do not receive screening. The study, which appears in the ...

Stool-Based Colon Cancer Tests Vary Widely in Accuracy

Colonoscopy remains the best way of spotting trouble, experts say TUESDAY, Feb. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Newer versions of the stool-based colon cancer tests -- recommended annually for Americans over 50 -- vary widely in their ability to spot potential abnormalities, a German study finds...

Inflammation in colon may get doused before fueling cancer development

AUDIO: Repeated inflammation that leads to colon cancer may have met its match. A tiny molecule, quercetin, found in most plant-based foods douses the flames before damagin...

Inflammation contributes to colon cancer

Researchers led by Drs. Lillian Maggio-Price and Brian Iritani at The University of Washington found that mice that lack the immune inhibitory molecule Smad3 are acutely sensitive to both bacterially-induced inflammation and cancer. They report these findings in the January 2009 issue of The Amer...

Genetic Data May Predict Colon Cancer Odds

Discovery might help people make healthier diet, lifestyle choices, scientists say FRIDAY, Jan. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Areas of deleted genetic data in key DNA may prove to be a biomarker that predicts whether a person will develop colon cancer, a new study finds. These "hot spots...

Colonoscopy Quality Critical Factor to Thorough Exam and Best Colon Cancer Detection

Flawed Analysis Misleading on Key Quality Indicators BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Publication of a meta-analysis by Wilkins et al. on colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer performed by primary care physicians raises several important issues regarding the quality of ...

Maslinic acid provides a natural defense against colon cancer

Researchers from the University of Granada and the University of Barcelona have shown that treatment with maslinic acid, a triterpenoid compound isolated from olive-skin pomace, results in a significant inhibition of cell proliferation and causes apoptotic death in colon-cancer cells. Maslinic aci...

Gene Boosts Drinkers' Colon Cancer Risk

About a fifth of white Americans carry the mutation, researchers say FRIDAY, Dec. 19 (HealthDay News) -- About a fifth of white Americans carry a gene mutation that leaves them at higher risk of colon cancer if they become chronic drinkers, a new study finds. "If people drink alcoh...