Copyright 2008 Medical News Today Latest Colorectal Cancer News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/colorectal_cancer/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/124556.php 1. Doctors Urged to Counsel Patients at Risk for Sexually Transmitted Infections The CDC estimates that 19 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occur each year, almost half of which occur among persons 15 to 24 years of age. In an effort to decrease the spread of STIs, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends high-intensity behavioral counseling for all sexually active individuals at increased risk for STIs. Sexual Health / STDs Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/124545.php While smoking poses a health threat to both men and women, women require less tobacco exposure than men to have a significant increased risk for colorectal cancer, according to new research presented at the 73rd Annual ACG Scientific Meeting in Orlando. In a separate analysis, researchers found smoking may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer precursor lesions, particularly in patients with a strong family history of the disease. Colorectal Cancer Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/124530.php A screening program for colon cancer in patients starting ten years prior to Medicare eligibility, at age 55 instead of Medicare's 65, would save at least two dollars for every dollar spent, according to a new study presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando. As people get older, their risk of developing polyps and colorectal cancer increases. Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/124535.php Two studies presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando highlight new technologies with the potential to improve the detection of colorectal polyps and flat lesions during colonoscopy. The American College of Gastroenterology endorses colonoscopy as the preferred strategy for colorectal cancer screening because of its remarkable sensitivity in detecting and removing polyps before they become cancerous. Colorectal Cancer Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/124536.php New research presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando emphasizes the importance of adequate bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy, and highlights the remarkable effectiveness of colonoscopy in detecting and removing pre-cancerous polyps, particularly tiny, flat, potentially pre-cancerous growths in the colon known as "sessile serrated adenomas." Dr. Brindusa Truta and Francisco C. Ramirez of the Carl T. Colorectal Cancer Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/124529.php In a large U.S. population-based study presented at the 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, metabolic syndrome patients had a 75 percent higher risk of colorectal cancer compared to those without metabolic syndrome. Dr. Donald Garrow and Dr. Colorectal Cancer Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/124410.php In a change from its previous recommendation, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends that adults age 50 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer using annual high-sensitivity fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy every five years with fecal occult testing between sigmoidoscopic exams, or colonoscopy every 10 years. According to the Task Force, good evidence exists that using these methods save lives. Colorectal Cancer Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/124398.php The first generation of a stool DNA test to identify early colorectal cancer has limitations, according to a Mayo Clinic-led study published in the Oct. 7, 2008, issue of Annals of Internal Medicine. Results did not corroborate findings of an earlier multicenter study that showed stool DNA testing was more accurate than fecal blood testing for colorectal cancer detection. "But the concerns we identified with stool DNA testing are all solvable," says David Ahlquist, M.D. Colorectal Cancer Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/124399.php New findings from a Decision Analysis for the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) suggest that routine colorectal cancer screenings can be stopped in patients over the age of 75. The results are based on patients who began screenings at age 50 and have had consistently negative screenings up to the age of 75. Colorectal Cancer Fri, 03 Oct 2008 06:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/124167.php Amgen Belgium announces the availability of Vectibix® (panitumumab), the first fully human anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-expressing metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with non-mutated (wild-type) KRASgene after failure of fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based chemotherapy protocols. Colorectal Cancer Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/124153.php Incidence reduction in the proximal colon differs in magnitude and timing Patients who undergo a complete negative colonoscopy have a reduced incidence of colorectal cancer, confirms a study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. However, in the proximal colon, the incidence reduction of colorectal cancer following complete negative colonoscopy differs in magnitude and timing. Colorectal Cancer Thu, 02 Oct 2008 06:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/123980.php Colectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the individual's colon. Also called the large intestine, the colon is a long tubelike organ at the end of the digestive system. A new feature on Mayo Clinic.com highlights the various types of colectomy operations. GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Thu, 02 Oct 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/123949.php Researchers at NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) and Northwestern University have discovered that fiber optic technology can for the very first time effectively measure blood levels in the colonic lining (mucosa) in humans, thus having potential applications for analyzing risk of colon cancer. The study appears in the October 2008 issue of Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute. Colorectal Cancer Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/123946.php Variation of a gene for a protein hormone that is secreted by fat cells is associated with a decreased colorectal cancer risk, according to a study in the October 1 issue of JAMA. Several studies have shown an association between obesity and the risk of colorectal cancer, according to background information in the article. Adiponectin is a hormone secreted by fat tissue, and serum levels of adiponectin are inversely correlated with obesity and high levels of insulin. Colorectal Cancer Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/123825.php DNA Direct, Inc. announced that the company will offer ColoSure(TM), a state of the art, safe, simple, and convenient test to screen for colon cancer -- the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. ColoSure tests a single stool sample for a DNA marker associated with colorectal cancer, and may be ordered through DNA Direct's website at http://www.dnadirect.com. Colorectal Cancer Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/123701.php Research out of Wake Forest University School of Medicine suggests that a surgical technique not traditionally used in advanced abdominal cancer may be a viable treatment option for some patients previously thought to be untreatable, offering the real possibility of extending survival for those patients. Colorectal Cancer Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/123708.php Scientists investigating a molecule known to play a key role in causing colon cancer have made a series of ground-breaking discoveries that could have major implications for future treatment of the disease, responsible for 655,000 deaths worldwide per year. Their findings are published in the journal Cancer Research, today (Wednesday 1 October 2008). Colorectal Cancer Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/123694.php Young adults without a family history of bowel disease are unlikely to develop adenomas, the colorectal polyps most likely to lead to cancer, according to new research directed by scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. The finding supports current cancer screening guidelines recommending adults in general undergo screening colonoscopies starting at age 50. Colorectal Cancer Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/123313.php A new study published in the October 1 issue of JAMA reports that decreased colorectal cancer risk is linked to variation of a gene for a protein hormone that is secreted by fat cells. Previous research has pointed towards a link between colorectal cancer risk and obesity. Serum levels of adiponectin - a hormone secreted by fat tissue - are inversely related with obesity and high levels of insulin. Colorectal Cancer Tue, 30 Sep 2008 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/123577.php ONI BioPharma Inc. (AMEX: ONI) announced that it has entered a Collaboration Agreement with a major international diagnostics company regarding ONI's unique biomarkers for early, middle and late stage colorectal cancer. Terms of the agreement have not been disclosed. ONI BioPharma scientists used its dynamic diagnostic platform, PCMAT, to discover proteins that are specifically expressed when healthy bowel cells become cancerous. Colorectal Cancer Sun, 28 Sep 2008 11:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/123227.php Transcriptional silencing of tumor suppressor genes by hypermethylation of CpG islands located in the promoter region is very common in human colorectal cancer. Dietary folate/vitamin B12 intake and MTHFR C677T genotype was suggested to protect against colorectal cancer. However, only a few studies have addressed the joint effects of circulating levels of folate/vitamin B12 and the MTHFR C677T genotype on the risk of epigenetic inactivation of specific tumor suppressor genes in CRC patients. Colorectal Cancer Sun, 28 Sep 2008 10:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/123223.php Ellagic acid was previousely shown to have anticarcinogenic, antioxidant and antifibrosis properties. The anticarcinogenic effect of ellagic acid was shown in several types of cancers including skin, esophageal, and colon cancers. However the mechanisms mediating anti-cancer effect of ellagic acid, in general, remain unknown. A research article published on 21 June 2008, in the World Journal of Gastroenterology addresses this question. The research team led by Dr. Cancer / Oncology Fri, 26 Sep 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/123198.php Global Insight's Senior Analyst/Oncology Gustav Ando's note on NICE's rejection of cancer drug Erbitux for NHS use. "In another setback for patients in the U.K., an important new colorectal cancer treatment called Erbitux has been deemed too expensive to become readily available on the NHS. Colorectal Cancer Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/123079.php DiagnoCure Inc. (TSX: CUR), a life sciences company commercializing high-value cancer diagnostic tests and delivering laboratory services, announced that its Guanylyl Cyclase C (GCC) marker for identifying colorectal cancer cells is being featured at two scientific meetings this month. Colorectal Cancer Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/123046.php The depth of transmural tumor invasion along the rectal wall layers and involvement of the regional lymph nodes constitutes major factors in the prognosis of rectal cancer. Therefore accurate preoperative staging of rectal cancer carries a crucial importance in terms of therapy and prognosis. The utility of endorectal ultrasound and pelvic phased-array magnetic resonance imaging has been demonstrated well in the literature. Colorectal Cancer