Colon Cancer Alliance: Defying the Odds

The mission of Colon Cancer Alliance is concise but certainly not without ambition: “to knock colon cancer out of the top three cancer killers.” The Colon Cancer Alliance is doing this by championing prevention, funding cutting-edge research and providing the highest quality patient support services. A specific and impactful example is the Never Too Young Coalition, which is a think tank of medical professionals, patient advocacy organizations, cancer survivors and caregivers working to educate the public about the growing issue of young-onset colon cancer.

Approximately one in seven new colon cancer cases affect individuals younger than 50 years, according to the results of a recent study. “This study is really a wake-up call to the medical community that a relatively large number of colon cancers are occurring in people under 50,” said study lead author Dr. Samantha Hendren, an associate professor of surgery at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Although most guidelines recommend that colon cancer screening begin at 50 years of age, the American Cancer Society recommends screening start at 40 years of age for high-risk individuals.

The reason for the rise in young-onset colon cancer isn’t known, so the Colon Cancer Alliance is committed to learning more and educating the public. Dispelling myths about colon cancer is a top priority, as seen in the Colon Cancer Alliance video. Like the fight against cancer, the approach of the Never Too Young Coalition is multipronged and proactive, as shown by its goals for this year:

• Fund an investigation into factors that may be causing the increase in young-onset colon cancer
• Disseminate lifesaving information to patients and the public to give young adults the tools they need to be their own health advocates
• Conduct a nationwide social media campaign that educates the young and reduces embarrassment associated with discussing the colon and the rectum
• Provide timely information through NeverTooYoung.org, including webinars and young-onset survivor chat sessions

Education followed by action is extending the lives of individuals with colon cancer, as well as improving their quality of life. The Colon Cancer Alliance’s website (ccalliance.org) includes inspiring survivor stories, such as that of Kevin Hayes, who was given a diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer when he was just 28 years of age.

“The Colon Cancer Alliance has really been a community that shows in action that it does good work,” said Kevin. “It also connects those of us touched by colon cancer, whether we need support, advice or just a sounding board. These people get it, and that’s an invaluable resource to have for anyone’s journey.”

Together with the Colon Cancer Alliance, Kevin is defying the odds.