Tune in to CancerEducation.com for Webcast on Colorectal Cancer

American Cancer Society
Thursday, 2 March 2000

A remarkable opportunity to learn about one of the most common yet least discussed cancers – colorectal cancer – is being made available Friday, March 3 by CancerEducation.com and the American Cancer Society.

American Cancer Society cancer education expert Ted S. Gansler, MD, will present a sensitive and understandable yet comprehensive discussion of the third leading cancer in women and men. The video lecture will be accessible anytime during the next six months at the website www.cancereducation.com.

The hour-long webcast is the fruit of an internet collaboration between CancerEducation.com and the American Cancer Society intended to kick-off the first-ever national Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

In the video, Dr. Gansler emphasizes the importance of prevention and early diagnosis in reducing the number of people who develop and die from colorectal cancer.

However, the success of early detection and prevention in fighting this disease requires a coordinated effort of well-informed patients and doctors, and this program aims to foster that patient-doctor relationship.

In patient-friendly language, Dr. Gansler highlights the importance of screening tests, which are tremendously effective in finding colorectal cancers at the earliest stages, and also in finding pre-cancerous polyps, which can be removed to prevent cancers from developing. When colorectal cancer is detected in an early, localized stage, the five-year relative survival rate is 90 percent; however, only 37 percent of cancers are discovered at that stage. Dr. Gansler also discusses risk factors and symptoms of colorectal cancer, presents information on diagnostic and treatment methods and provides valuable tips on reducing colorectal cancer risk.

CancerEducation.com, the leading website focused on providing support and education for patients and professionals, is proud to be an integral part of the American Cancer Society's campaign to mark Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. "We are delighted to be able to help the American Cancer Society in this vital work," said Michael S. Weiss, chief executive officer of CancerEducation.com. "We are committed to serving the cancer community, and we are confident that in this way we will help save lives."

According to the American Cancer Society, some 130,200 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, and 56,300 Americans are expected to die of the disease. It is as common to women as it is to men, the third most common and most deadly cancer, behind lung and breast cancer for women, and lung and prostate cancer for men.

"We at the American Cancer Society have the message – and CancerEducation.com has the type of far-reaching, authoritative vehicle through which we can collaboratively increase the public's awareness of this deadly disease," Dr. Gansler said.

About CancerEducation.com

CancerEducation.com, a member of the MedClips.com Network, is a novel website dedicated to providing the global community of oncology professionals and cancer patients and their families and friends direct access to the latest advances in cancer treatments and diagnostic procedures. The site, www.cancereducation.com, provides critical and highly credible information about more than 20 forms of cancer, primarily in an audio/video format that is interactive, timely and convenient.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. For information about cancer, call toll-free anytime 1-800-ACS-2345.

Webcast Information

"Colorectal Cancer Basics" by Ted S. Gansler, MD, medical director, Health Content. Premiering March 3 on www.cancereducation.com. Archives available for six months.

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org