In a nutshell This study investigated the effectiveness of the chemotherapy FOLFOXIRI as treatment for colorectal cancer. Researchers suggested that this chemotherapy is associated with improved treatment outcomes. Some background Chemotherapy is used in cancer patients to reduce symptoms and prolong survival. Chemotherapy drugs attack cancer...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the association of different lifestyles with long-term colorectal cancer outcomes. Researchers reported that physical activity was associated with decreased mortality. Some background It is predicted that by 2035 the number of colorectal cancer cases will increase to 1.36 million for men and 1.08 million...
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“I think all too often we underestimate the impact of a cancer diagnosis on the mental health and well-being of the individual, thus it goes unaddressed.” ~Stephanie Zimmerman, MSN Receiving a diagnosis of cancer can bring on feelings of worry, fear, dread, anger, uncertainty and loss. Research indicates that, for some people, these symptoms of...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the negative side effects of targeted therapy to treat elderly and younger metastatic (spread to other parts of the body) colorectal cancer patients. Researchers suggested that side effects were different between these patients. Some background Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide....
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In July 2017, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conducted the National Cancer Opinion Survey to find out what people in the US know about cancer. ASCO released the results in October. The findings have already influenced recommendations made by the organization. Beliefs About Cancer Risk Among other questions, the survey asked 4,016...
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In It’s All In Your Gut, A High Fiber Diet and the Immune System, we introduced the microbiome that lives in our body. It helps with our digestion and makes the short-chained fatty acids (SCFAs) that are important to our immune system. Now several recent studies are looking at bacteria in the bodies of people with cancer. Specifically, these...
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In a nutshell This study investigated the effect of chemotherapy after surgery (CAS) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Researchers suggested that the use of this therapy increases survival of the patients. Some background Surgery is the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer patients. However, the use of CAS...
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In a nutshell This study compared the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopy (LRS) and robotic rectal cancer surgery (RRS). Researchers suggested that both treatments have similar cancer outcomes and side effects. Some background LRS (removal of the tumor by using a cable with a camera inserted near the tumor) is a non-invasive option...
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“For me, having lost my husband, it’s frustrating to hear publicly people saying to John McCain, ‘If anybody can beat this you can — you’re so tough.’ Not that it’s intentionally hurtful, but it does leave those of us who’ve lost a loved one thinking, ‘Was my loved one not tough enough? Did he not fight hard enough?'” ~Dannagal...
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In a nutshell This study examined the effectiveness of FOLFOXIRI combined with targeted therapy (TT) in advanced colorectal cancer. This study concluded that FOLFOXIRI plus TT was associated with better outcomes compared to other treatment combinations. Some background Chemotherapy is used to reduce symptoms and increase survival in colorectal...
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“I’m barely 27 and if it were not for immunotherapy and cancer research, I would not have seen 25.” So starts Stefanie Joho speech at a 2017 Congressional Hearing called “Progress in Immunotherapy: Delivering Hope and Clinical Benefit to Cancer Patients.” When Stefanie was 22, she was diagnosed with a very aggressive Stage II...
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In a nutshell This study looked survival rates of stage II rectal cancer patients who underwent different treatments. It compared radical surgery versus local excision with added-on chemoradiation. The article concluded that overall survival was not different between the treatments. Some background Radical surgery (RS – complete...
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