Doctors who treat colorectal cancer and urological cancer have observed that patients who have had one of these cancers appear to be more likely than the average person to be diagnosed with the other. More...
The National Cancer Institute estimates that between 5% and 8% of cancer patients participate in clinical trials. Why is the number so low? Part of the problem is that many patients believe that all clinical trials include a placebo (an inactive treatment with no known therapeutic value) and treat participants like 'guinea pigs' -- neither of which is true. To help clear up the confusion, this Health Alert explains clinical trial terminology, including randomization, placebo, and blinding More...
In a study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine (Volume 359, page 1207) virtual colonoscopy compared favorably to standard colonoscopy. Here’s what you should know. More...
Many people think the worst part of a colonoscopy is the preparation -- clearing your entire large intestine of fecal matter. Your doctor will give you detailed instructions about the cleansing process, which can take two days or more. Now a study reported in The Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that some bowel cleaning preparations can cause kidney damage in some adults. More...
Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for finding and removing -- and possibly preventing -- colorectal cancer. It can detect up to 95% of colon cancers and can be used to remove precancerous polyps before they develop into cancer. So it’s important to know when you should begin colonoscopy screening: age 40 or 50? More...
Are you at risk for colorectal cancer? While the exact causes of colorectal cancer are not known, studies show that the major risk factors include age, personal or family history of cancer, lifestyle practices, and diet. More...
Green tea has gotten a lot of press for its healthy properties. But it turns out that coffee may be better for your colon, according to research reported in the International Journal of Cancer.
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If you or loved one face surgery for colon cancer, you may want to consider adding massage and acupuncture to the usual care provided. Here's what a recent study recommends.
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It is estimated that about 15% of colorectal cancers run in families. For that reason, it's important to know the health history of your immediate family and to tell your children. A family history of colorectal cancer puts you at higher risk for developing the disease, which means you should have screenings more often than the average person. More...
Colonoscopy is the “gold standard” for finding and removing precancerous polyps and colon cancers. But many people delay colonoscopy because of the uncomfortable pre-exam preparation. In this Health Alert Johns Hopkins provides practical advice to help you make the best of this necessary test. More...
The best way to “treat” colorectal cancer is to prevent it, through regular colonoscopy screenings during which any suspicious polyps can be removed. However, if your doctor does find evidence of colorectal cancer, your treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. In this Health Alert, Johns Hopkins gastroenterologist Sergey V. Kantsevoy, M.D. explains what you should expect if you are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. More...
Can diet prevent colorectal cancer from coming back? A number of researchers are zeroing in on certain foods and nutrients that may play an important role in preventing the recurrence of adenomas (polyps that have a high likelihood of becoming cancerous). Here's the latest thinking from Johns Hopkins cancer experts. More...
s there an age beyond which it doesn't make sense to have a colonoscopy anymore? Research suggests the risk of colonoscopy may outweigh the benefits in octogenarians. Johns Hopkins explores the research. More...
The stress of a colon cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, so it's very important to have a support system to help you with questions and decisions. In this Health Alert, Johns Hopkins provides practical advice to help you cope. More...
Not all colonoscopies are equal, a new study finds. Colorectal cancer is more likely to be missed if the colonoscopy is performed in a doctor's office rather than in a hospital or clinic.
Canadian investigators analyzed data from more than 12,000 people with colorectal cancer who had reportedly normal colonoscopies no more than three years before their diagnosis. The investigators found that 3% of the people had a new or missed cancer, some within six… More...
If you are at low risk for colorectal cancer, how long should you wait between colonoscopy screenings? Johns Hopkins looked into this question and provides advice.
Most of us grudgingly accept the need for regular colonoscopy screenings but may wonder: Is it really safe to wait a decade before your next colonoscopy? Some researchers have wondered as well. … More...
Colorectal polyps are small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells that grow in the rectum and colon. Over the course of 10–15 years, some of these polyps -- usually the ones that are larger than a pea -- can become cancerous. Fortunately, regular screening for colorectal cancer helps to identify and remove polyps, often before they progress to cancer. … More...
Does Chinese herbal medicine help reduce the unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy? A recent study in the Annals of Oncology seeks to answer this important question.
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An unhealthy diet has long been associated with an increased risk of developing colon cancer, at times without much evidence other than common sense. Now a growing body of research is backing up these claims with studies showing that people who eat 'good' foods may indeed be able to reduce their risk of developing colon cancer. … More...
Don't assume a normal annual test for fecal occult blood (FOBT) means you can postpone your colonoscopy. According to Frank Herlong, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Gastroenterology Division at Johns Hopkins and Health After 50 Board Member, FOBTs are no longer relied upon for colon cancer screening -- though some doctors may use them to test for gastrointestinal bleeding from causes other than cancer. … More...
Patients who plan to undergo colonoscopy should be on the lookout for the Aer-O-Scope, a new self-propelled colonoscope – still under development.
Colonoscopy, long the gold-standard for colorectal cancer screening, requires specialized training and sedation and can have complications, such as colon perforation. A newly developed instrument could be used with minimal training, without sedation, and perhaps with fewer complications, according to its developers. … More...
For patients with advanced, metastatic colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver, surgery offers hope, according to a study in the Annals of Surgical Oncology.
The treatments for advanced cancer are much the same as for newly diagnosed cancer. However, they are more aggressive. They include: Surgery to remove cancer where it has returned or metastasized. This could be localized or could involve extensive surgery for metastases in the liver or other organs. … More...
Following treatment for colon cancer, it's critically important to monitor your recovery with frequent doctor visits and to pay attention to potential symptoms of recurrence. Johns Hopkins doctor explain what to look for.
After colon cancer treatment, vigilant surveillance must continue for several years. Early detection of recurrent or metastasized cancer yields the best possibility for cure or containment. For these reasons, at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, most colon cancer patients… More...
Men who took part in a regular exercise program had fewer precancerous changes to the colon lining than non-exercisers, a study shows -- and the more vigorous the exercise, the better the results.
While there is no surefire way to prevent colon cancer or a recurrence, lifestyle choices may lower your risk of colon cancer. Much of the new information echoes time-honored common sense: Eat a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables, maintain an appropriate… More...
Research suggests that chewing sugarless gum after colon cancer surgery can speed recovery and shorten hospital stays by as much as a third.
The first line of treatment for colon cancer is to remove the primary tumor or tumors. If your colon cancer is confined to polyps or a small area, surgery is probably the only treatment that you need. After major surgery, you will have some pain for two or three days, which is… More...
Two research studies report on the benefits and risks of colonoscopy in adults over age 80.
Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for finding and removing -- and possibly preventing -- colorectal cancer. It can detect up to 95% of colon cancers and can be used to remove precancerous polyps before they develop into cancer. … More...
After age 80, heredity is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer. Now scientists have a new tool to help them identify people at risk for genetically linked colon or endometrial cancer.
It's not known exactly why colorectal cancer begins. Some people carry genes that make them unusually susceptible to certain cancers, and some people have genes that are specific for colorectal cancer. In fact, because colon cancer is relatively easy to identify in the precancerous… More...
According to a recent consumer survey, Americans have a poor grasp on when and why to get tested for colon cancer. The most startling result was that 38% of people over age 50 were able to name a judge on the hit television show 'American Idol,' yet only 34% knew they were at risk for colon cancer. More...
The evidence that links various foods with the risk of colon cancer is increasing. Fortunately, most of the foods that are good for you are good to eat as well.
So far, there is no surefire way to prevent colon cancer or a recurrence. But increasing knowledge about contributing factors has revealed that lifestyle choices may lower your risk. Some of the information is surprising and may challenge your assumptions. However, much of the new… More...
It's never too late to begin to exercise. In one study, those with advanced colon cancer who exercised regularly more than doubled their disease-free survival time.
If you have been diagnosed with polyps -- cancerous or benign -- you now have an incentive to make some different lifestyle choices. Stop smoking and limit your use of alcohol. Exposing yourself to these known toxins can cause cell damage that promotes cancer. A recent study shows that alcohol… More...
Searching for less invasive screening tests for cancer, Johns Hopkins scientists have discovered proteins present in blood that accurately identify colon cancer and precancerous polyps. Initial studies of the proteins, CCSA-3 and CCSA-4, suggest they could be used to develop a blood test to identify individuals at-risk for colon cancer.
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Scientists are identifying specific genes that confer a high risk of developing some cancers, including colorectal cancer. If you happen to carry one of these specific genes, your risk of colorectal cancer is increased considerably. Your doctor may recommend genetic testing if cancer seems to run in your family or if a close relative has been found to carry one of these genes. More...
A Canadian study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirms that a 10-year interval between colonoscopy screenings is appropriate for those who have had one negative procedure. More...
Johns Hopkins gastroenterologist Sergey V. Kantsevoy, M.D. explains what you should expect if you are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The best way to “treat” colorectal cancer is to prevent it, through regular colonoscopy screenings during which any suspicious polyps can be removed. However, if your doctor does find evidence of colorectal cancer, your treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. When the disease is caught and treated in its early stages, the five-year survival rate is… More...
A fiber-rich diet has many benefits – but does it protect against colon cancer?
The idea that fiber protects against colon cancer was first proposed many years ago when researchers found that Africans who ate high fiber diets had a low incidence of colon cancer. Since then dozens of studies have supported the protective role of fiber. There are plenty of reasons fiber might lower colon cancer risk: Fiber increases fecal bulk and may dilute… More...
Johns Hopkins Professor Frank Giardiello, M.D., Professor explains why knowing your family tree can save your life.
Following the publication of the complete sequence of the human genome in 2003, researchers announced that much of this information had been placed on a single, dime-sized glass slide called a DNA microarray or gene chip. This tool allows researchers to rapidly examine humankind’s estimated 35,000 genes so they can pinpoint those linked to disease, an achievement that promises… More...
Low-dose aspirin can help protect against colorectal cancer, but talk to your doctor first.
Colorectal polyps are small, non-cancerous (benign) clumps of cells that grow in the rectum and colon. Over the course of 10–15 years, some of these polyps—usually the ones that are larger than a pea—may become cancerous. Fortunately, regular screening for colorectal cancer helps to identify and remove polyps, often before they progress to cancer. … More...
A number of studies have confirmed a link between diet and the risk of colorectal cancer. In one study of 150,000 adults reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, people who ate the most red and processed meat over a 20-year period had a 50% greater risk of developing colorectal cancer than those who consumed little meat. Individuals who ate more poultry and fish than meat had a 70% lower risk of… More...
More Evidence That Calcium Reduces Colorectal Cancer Risk
A new study provides further evidence that calcium, from both dietary sources and supplements, can help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in women—presumably by neutralizing highly irritating bile acids in the colon. The data which was reported in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention come from more than 45,000 women enrolled in the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project. During the study, the subjects were asked to… More...
2009 Colon Cancer White Paper Although colon cancer is the third most common cause of cancer overall in the US, and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, it's one of the most curable of all cancers when diagnosed and treated in its early stages. In The Johns Hopkins White Paper: Colon Cancer, specialists from Johns Hopkins Medicine report in-depth on the latest colon cancer screening tests, prevention strategies, and treatments. Read more or order the INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD EDITION Read more or order the PRINT EDITION
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2009 Digestive Disorders White Paper The latest news and breakthroughs to help you relieve your symptoms if you suffer from: acid reflux (GERD), sour stomach, peptic ulcers, dysphagia, achalasia, Barrett's esophagus, esophageal spasm and stricture, gastritis, gallstones, diarrhea, constipation, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. PLUS, get your special discount and FREE Special Report: Good News For Your Gut through this exclusive web-only offer. Read more or order the INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD EDITION Read more or order the PRINT EDITION
The Johns Hopkins Medical Guide to Health After 50 A comprehensive home medical encyclopedia that gives you a “crash course” on more than 100 major medical concerns of men and women over 50! Organized in an easy-to-use A to Z format, the Medical Guide provides in-depth explanations of the many chronic health problems associated with aging – high blood pressure, stroke, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, dementia, memory loss, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and gallstones, to name but a few.Read more or order...
Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies This easy-to-use reference book can help you pinpoint the causes of hundreds of disorders, from abdominal pain to skin rash to swollen glands. The book is divided into two distinct sections: symptoms, which includes charts covering a wide range of common symptoms and possible diagnoses, and disorders, which discusses the disorder, its causes, prevention advice, treatment strategies, and other crucial information so you will be able to either treat yourself at home, or know when it's time to call a doctor. Read more or order...
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