Colorectal Cancer: Breakthroughs in Treatment and Barriers to Progress

Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation
Wednesday, 28 February 2001

Advances in Treatment and New Screening Guidelines Mark National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

The Cancer Research Foundation of America Seeks to Raise Patient and Provider Awareness In Battle Against America's 2nd Leading Cancer Killer

Alexandria, VA- February 28, 2001 - The Cancer Research Foundation of America (CRFA) is heralding important advances in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer as it leads off observation of the nation's second annual National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

"We are heartened by significant advances against America's second leading cancer killer on both the prevention and treatment fronts," said Carolyn Aldigé, President and Founder of the CRFA. "Our challenge is to get the word out to patients and providers so that more Americans can benefit from new screening guidelines and from the new oral chemotherapies in development for treatment of colorectal cancer." The American Cancer Society announced on January 31 it was changing screening test guidelines to improve compliance with recommendations. The new recommendations encourage the use of at least one of the appropriate colorectal screening techniques for all eligible patients, emphasizing that screening for colorectal cancer with any test alone is far better than not being screened at all.

"We know that fecal occult blood test, in combination with flexible sigmoidoscopy, are better indicators of disease than either screening test alone," said Robert Smith, Ph.D., Director of Screening of the American Cancer Society. "But the fact is people weren't having the combined tests done.

"There is incontrovertible evidence that screening can prevent colorectal cancer, and that early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment. Our real world experience confirms that having either test done is better than not being tested. Screening tests save lives. It is as simple as that."

Speaking of other new developments in the fight against colorectal cancer, Carolyn Aldigé said that the two new oral chemotherapies under development promise significant lifestyle benefits for patients undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer. The new therapies will make it possible for patients to spend less time in hospitals than they would with conventional IV therapies, and many patients living in remote areas will be spared long-distance travel previously required for infusion treatments. CRFA is conducting an aggressive public outreach and education effort in recognition of the second Annual National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month to raise awareness of the benefits of screening tests, to encourage compliance with the new screening test guidelines, and to help educate patients undergoing treatment about new oral chemotherapy options under development. CRFA is also reaching out to underserved communities who face significant barriers to prevention and treatment, including barriers of language, ethnicity, geographic remoteness, or lack of financial resources and insurance.

The Cancer Research Foundation of America is a national nonprofit health organization whose mission is the prevention and early detection of cancer through scientific research and education. The Foundation has supported research, education and early detection programs in excess of $50 million.

For more information, or to contact Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, see their website at: www.preventcancer.org