Breast and Colon Cancer...

A few months ago, my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, it was found early and surgery appears to have removed it all.

She shared an article with me about a new test that screens patients to determine their suitability for chemotherapy. My sister fit the "one in three" parameter of those whose course of treatment could be modified to avoid extensive chemotherapy.

While my expertise in the area of cancer research is minimal, please share this information with anyone who may benefit from it.

"It is a first step," said Dr. Howard Hochster, colon cancer chief at New York University and a member of the oncology group's program committee that chose the study for presentation at the meeting.

"Perhaps it's going to be most helpful in saying who does not need chemotherapy," he said.

Breast cancer article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-12-13-1723204226_x.htm

Colon cancer article: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/discoveries/2009-05-15-colon-cancer_N.htm

mom died of colon cancer about 5 years back... still in her 40's... I just turned 30 and got the pleasure of my 1st "screening"

i'll have to take a look at that article.

I think this can vary depending on the type of cancer. For certain types of cancer, outcomes after 3 years are significantly better with combination therapy (radiation and chemotherapy) than with radiation alone. Still, those are pretty common types of cancers, so if people can avoid chemo and still have the same outcome, that's a great thing!

Both my grandfathers had CC, my mother survived both breast cancer and colon cancer. I get regular tune ups.

Dan

Wife had breast cancer, her father died of colon cancer. My great grandmother is thought to have died of colon cancer, and I have had my colon removed (though not due to cancer). I will absolutely spread this one to the family. Thanks.