CHICAGO September 14, 2006 -- 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 workshop series called "Conversations About Colorectal Cancer." The program launches this weekend at the Colon Cancer Alliance's (CCA) 6th Annual Colorectal Cancer Conference in Chicago.
The two-day interactive conference 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 managing their side effects. 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 Amy Kelly, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Colon Cancer Alliance. "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, infe
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Contact: Amy E. Kelly
akelly@ccalliance.org
954-341-0212
Porter Novelli
14-Sep-2006