Colorectal Cancer: Getting To Know More
What's new in colorectal cancer research?
There's a lot new with colorectal cancer research. Some of it is focused on preventing cancer, in other words using medications like anti-inflammatories, aspirin, ibuprofen, or using statins, which are medications to lower cholesterol but also have added benefits of decreasing the risk of developing colon polyps, which then leads into developing colorectal cancer. So looking at medications for prevention. Looking at ways of improving screening and detection methods, of finding cancers earlier, when they're at a more treatable and curable stage. There's also a lot of research going on at ways to use chemotherapy better, as well as find new agents that are active in colorectal cancer, agents that are targeted, that focus on certain abnormal pathways in the colorectal cancer that are not as important in normal, healthy cells and so these agents are more effective at treating cancer and yet have less side effects on healthy cells that are in the body, and looking at incorporating these agents into treating earlier colorectal cancers so that after somebody has surgery we can improve the chances of them having a cure. And we're also looking at new agents that are more effective in the metastatic setting, so helping people live longer, but not only live longer, but live longer feeling better with the colorectal cancer. There's a lot going on and it's a very exciting time in colorectal cancer research.
How do I learn more about colorectal cancer?
There's a number of great websites that provide good information for individuals with cancer as well as people who are just interested in finding out more about cancer. The American Cancer Society is a great resource, as is the NCI, the National Cancer Institute. NCCN is a very good organisation - the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. They have a website which talks about what general guidelines are available for different types of cancer - not just colorectal cancer - but it's a good site to go to to see if the treatment that you're getting follows general guidelines for the type of cancer that you have. In addition, the American Society of Clinical Oncology has a good website for people with cancer called People Living With Cancer (PLWC) which somebody can go to to get more information, too. Usually in somebody's community there are also support groups and your doctor and nurses can also give you resources as well.
