19 October 1998

Colon Cancer Alliance


Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) is the largest colorectal cancer non-profit organization in the U.S., with over 37,000 members and
several nationwide chapters. The CCA is dedicated to ending the suffering caused by colorectal cancer through patient support,
education, research and advocacy.

COLON CANCER ALLIANCE

The CCA offers a variety of patient support services including a national conference, regional seminars (Conversations about Colorectal Cancer), a toll-free helpline, chat forum, and the Buddy Program, which provides both survivors and caregivers with a chance to connect with someone who has gone through a similar experience. The CCA Web site includes information about issues including screening, treatment, clinical trials, quality of life and financial issues. The CCA also distributes colorectal cancer awareness merchandise and printed materials.

As the Voice of Survivors, the CCA works as an advocate for colorectal cancer patients and their families. The CCA offers information and support from the first-hand experience of survivors and others whose lives have been touched by this disease.

Today, the CCA provides information and services to hundreds of thousands each year. The helpline receives an average of 700 calls monthly, and the support networks are essential to patients, family and caregivers. It has multiple programs designed to both assist those affected by the disease, as well as raise awareness to improve screening rates. The growth and success of the organization is due in large part to caring volunteers who devote considerable time, skill and energy to achieving CCA's vision.

CCA's Helpline: (877) 422-2030

When you need support, answers, and connections to others so you can know you are not alone, call the CCAs Helpline.

Support Everyone needs to be listened to and cared about when they face the crisis of illness. Whether you are a survivor of CRC or someone supporting a loved one, calling the helpline connects you with someone who will listen to your story and support you in the wide range of emotions and reactions you might have.

Answers When you or a loved one faces colorectal cancer, you must learn a whole new vocabulary and begin to navigate the health care system. CCA's helpline helps you learn about standards of treatment, the normalcy of your body's reactions to surgery and treatment, and guidance regarding what to expect in the coming months. The helpline is also a great place to learn more about CRC awareness, CRC screening, and the latest on genetic testing options in your area.

Connections Calling the helpline will allow you to speak to someone about all of CCA's different support services, including the Buddy Program and My CRC Connections, the online colorectal cancer community. Sometimes people feel more comfortable engaging in support programs once they have had an opportunity to connect with someone. Learning that others have been in your position, know what it means to go through this disease, and are willing to be supportive to you, can help you through this difficult time.

Calls can be made anytime to the helpline, but it is staffed Monday-Friday from 9:30am-4:30pm EST by the Patient Support Team.

Buddy Program

Buddies have experienced what you're going through. They are colorectal cancer survivors, caregivers, family and friends. Buddies are there to listen, offer support, and share their experience. Buddies will provide information on:
  • coping with side effects
  • treatment options
  • life after a colostomy, or
  • dealing with the many emotional issues that come with this illness.

The CCA believes that taking an active role in one's treatment and medical care is beneficial to patients. This requires being educated about the disease and its treatment. The buddy system does not substitute for diagnosis, treatment or information from a medical care provider. However, encouragement provided by the buddy network can help the patient in the fight against colorectal cancer.

Once you are assigned a Buddy through the CCA Buddy Program, it is up to you and your buddy to determine the frequency and the best method for contact. Since the buddy relationship will take place outside of any monitored environment, CCA can assume no responsibility or liability for any interaction between buddies. Those who participate in buddy relationships are entirely responsible for their own participation and for the use of information placed on the buddy list.

CCA's Buddy Program was featured on NBC's Today Show with Katie Couric in March 2006.

Conversations About Colorectal Cancer Regional Seminars

The CCA is touring for the 4th year, Conversations about Colorectal Cancer, Finding HOPE.

CCA seminars are intended for the newly diagnosed, advanced disease patients, long-term survivors, caregivers, family and friends. Nurses and other healthcare professionals are also encouraged to attend.

The seminars offer attendees HOPE (Healing. Options. Peer Support. Education.) because they provide:
  • The most up-to-date colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment information
  • A supportive and empowering atmosphere
  • Opportunities to exchange information and share experiences with survivors and caregivers
  • Information and options from leading colorectal cancer healthcare professionals
  • Forums for peer-to-peer support

Undy 5000 5K Run

In 2008, the CCA launched a series of 5K runs called the Undy 5000. These events are designed to draw media attention, give survivors and caregivers a voice, and get people talking about colorectal cancer. The Undy 5000 encourages discussion by providing custom event boxer-style shorts instead of traditional T-shirts for all participants to wear during the event. Why boxers? Because people don't like to talk about colorectal cancer. And talking about it will save their lives. People need to talk about colorectal cancer at their doctor's office, around the dinner table, at the grocery store - everywhere.

Undy 5000 Locations To-Date:
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Dallas, TX
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Denver, CO
  • Washington DC
  • St. Louis, MO
  • San Diego, CA
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Royal Oak, MI
  • Jersey Shore, NJ
  • South Florida, FL
  • Cincinnati, OH
  • Columbus, OH
  • Tacoma, WA

The CCA is sponsored by:

What is Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. Sometimes it is called colon cancer, for short. As the drawing shows, the colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus.

Colon cancer, when discovered early, is highly treatable. Even if it spreads into nearby lymph nodes, surgical treatment followed by chemotherapy is highly successful. In the most difficult cases — when the cancer has metastasized to the liver, lungs or other sites — treatment can prolong and add to the quality of life.

Most colorectal cancers develop first as colorectal polyps, which are growths inside the colon or rectum that may later become cancerous. Colorectal cancer affects both men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, and is most often found in people aged 50 years or older. For men, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer after prostate and lung cancers. For women, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer after breast and lung cancers.

It is the second-leading cancer killer in the United States, but it doesn't have to be. If everybody aged 50 or older had regular screening tests, as many as 80% of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented. Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. Screening can find precancerous polyps — abnormal growths in the colon or rectum — so that they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure.

Risk Factors
  • Age over 50: Colorectal cancer is more likely to occur as people get older. More than 90% of people with this disease are diagnosed after age 50. The average age at diagnosis is 72.
  • Colorectal polyps: Polyps are growths on the inner wall of the colon or rectum. They are common in people over age 50. Most polyps are benign (non-cancerous), but some polyps (adenomas) can become cancer. Finding and removing polyps may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
  • Family history of colorectal cancer: Close relatives (parents, siblings or children) of a person with a history of colorectal cancer are somewhat more likely to develop this disease themselves, especially if the relative had the cancer at a young age. If many close relatives have a history of colorectal cancer, the risk is even greater.
  • Genetic alterations: Changes in certain genes increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
  • Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) is the most common type of inherited (genetic) colorectal cancer. It accounts for about 2 percent of all colorectal cancer cases. It is caused by changes in an HNPCC gene. Most people with an altered HNPCC gene develop colon cancer, and the average age at diagnosis of colon cancer is 44.
  • Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a rare, inherited condition in which hundreds of polyps form in the colon and rectum. It is caused by a change in a specific gene called APC. Unless FAP is treated, it usually leads to colorectal cancer by age 40. FAP accounts for less than 1 percent of all colorectal cancer cases.
Family members of people who have HNPCC or FAP can have genetic testing to check for specific genetic changes. For those who have changes in their genes, health care providers may suggest ways to try to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, or to improve the detection of this disease. For adults with FAP, the doctor may recommend an operation to remove all or part of the colon and rectum.
  • Personal history of cancer: A person who has already had colorectal cancer may develop colorectal cancer a second time. Also, women with a history of cancer of the ovary, uterus (endometrium), or breast are at a somewhat higher risk of developing colorectal cancer.
  • Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease: A person who has had a condition that causes inflammation of the colon (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease) for many years is at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.
  • Diet: Studies suggest that diets high in fat (especially animal fat) and low in calcium, folate, and fiber may increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Also, some studies suggest that people who eat a diet very low in fruits and vegetables may have a higher risk of colorectal cancer. However, results from diet studies do not always agree, and more research is needed to better understand how diet affects the risk of colorectal cancer.
  • Cigarette smoking: A person who smokes cigarettes may be at increased risk of developing polyps and colorectal cancer.

Symptoms

Colorectal cancer first develops with few, if any, symptoms. However, if symptoms are present, they may include:
  • Having diarrhea or constipation
  • Feeling that your bowel does not empty completely
  • Finding blood (either bright red or very dark) in your stool
  • Finding your stools are narrower than usual
  • Frequently having gas pains or cramps, or feeling full or bloated
  • Losing weight with no known reason
  • Feeling very tired all the time
  • Having nausea or vomiting

These symptoms can also be associated with many other health conditions. If you have any of these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor. Only your doctor can determine why you're having these symptoms. Usually, early cancer does not cause pain. It is important not to wait to feel pain before seeing a doctor.

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