Colon Cancer Alliance Hosts Interactive Support Program at Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health

- New Initiative Aims to Educate Patients and Caregivers About Becoming an

Active Partner in Their Treatment Program -

    NEW YORK, March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Every four minutes someone in the
 United States is diagnosed with colorectal cancer, a diagnosis that can be
 overwhelming without appropriate information and support. People living
 with colorectal cancer now have the opportunity to exchange ideas and
 information with experts in the field and fellow patients through an
 educational seminar series called "Conversations About Colorectal Cancer."
 The program, which launched in 2006, will be hosted in New York City on
 Saturday, March 17, at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical
 Center.
     The interactive seminar will allow patients to have a dialogue with
 thought-leading physicians in the area of colorectal cancer on a range of
 topics, from the latest treatment advances with targeted therapies to the
 psychosocial aspects of a cancer diagnosis. In addition, patients and
 caregivers will have the opportunity to listen to, and support one another,
 in their collective battle against colorectal cancer.
     "This program is an important way for those living with colorectal
 cancer to learn more about the nation's second-leading cancer killer," says
 Jennifer Beckmann, the Colon Cancer Alliance's Voices of NYC Chapter
 Coordinator. "By encouraging increased dialogue between patients, health
 care providers and caregivers, we hope to help patients learn how to
 successfully continue their daily activities and ultimately improve their
 quality of life."
     According to a Harris Interactive survey of more than 500 cancer
 patients and 300 oncologists, patients who held discussions with their
 physicians about cancer topics were more knowledgeable about their
 condition than those who did not hold discussions. For example, only 10
 percent of patients who did not participate in dialogue with their
 physician were knowledgeable about the extent of available treatment
 options. In addition, patients who did not have discussions with their
 physician were less knowledgeable about the possibility of treatment
 delays, infection, impact of low red and white blood cells, and proper
 patient education.
     To register for the New York City seminar, please call 1-877-422-2030
 or visit the Colon Cancer Alliance Web site at http://www.ccalliance.org
 and complete the online registration form.
     This seminar is part of a series of free educational events throughout
 the country in 2007. For information about where additional seminars will
 be held patients and their loved ones should visit
 http://www.ccalliance.org or call 1-877-422-2030. This educational seminar
 series is funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Amgen.
     About Colorectal Cancer
     Although more Americans have become aware of colorectal cancer in
 recent years, one person still dies of the disease every nine minutes.
 Colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in the United States.
 In fact, one in 18 people in the United States will develop colorectal
 cancer in their lifetime, yet it is preventable or if caught early; it is
 one of the most curable cancers. The American Cancer Society estimated that
 153,760 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in the United
 States in 2007; an estimated 52,180 will die from colorectal cancer. In New
 York State, there were approximately 9,540 new cases diagnosed and 3,350
 deaths in 2006.
     The Colon Cancer Alliance
     The Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) is a national patient advocacy
 organization, with chapters located across the country, and the official
 patient support partner of Katie Couric's National Colorectal Cancer
 Research Alliance (NCCRA). CCA is dedicated to ending the suffering caused
 by colorectal cancer. The Colon Cancer Alliance brings the voice of
 survivors to battle colon cancer through patient support, education,
 research and advocacy. CCA invites any and all organizations, government
 agencies, members of the medical community and individuals impacted by this
 disease to add their voices by joining CCA in their determination to
 eradicate colorectal cancer. The Colon Cancer Alliance's toll-free helpline
 is 1-877-422-2030, or visit the Web site at http://www.ccalliance.org.
     The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health
     at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center
     The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health is a world-class
 gastrointestinal cancer and wellness center. The Monahan Center was founded
 in March 2004 in memory of attorney Jay Monahan, in large part, through the
 efforts of his wife, Katie Couric, and the organization she co-founded, the
 Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Colorectal Cancer Research
 Alliance. The Monahan Center serves as a unique model of coordinated and
 compassionate care, dedicated to public education and the prevention,
 diagnosis, treatment, and research of gastrointestinal cancers, including
 cancers of the colon, rectum, pancreas, esophagus, liver, gallbladder,
 stomach, and small intestine. For more information on the Monahan Center,
 visit http://www.monahancenter.org.
     CONTACT:
     Elsie Nwankwo
     Hill & Knowlton
     212-885-0432
     elsie.nwankwo@hillandknowlton.com
 
 

SOURCE Colon Cancer Alliance