ColoCare Study

ColoCare is a research study for people newly diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer. It includes researchers, doctors, nurses, and patients working together to learn more about improving health after a cancer diagnosis.

The study takes place at Huntsman Cancer Institute and several other top U.S. and international research institutions. These are our long-term goals:

• Find out how to best treat this disease in the future by tailoring therapies to each patient's unique biology.
• Learn what future patients can do to improve their health.

More than 135,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year. Together, we can find new ways to improve health after a diagnosis and identify new treatment options.

Visit the study-wide page to learn more.

Who can participate?

Men and women newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer who receive care from a ColoCare Study partner physician are eligible.

What will I be asked to do?

If you choose to participate, you will do four things:

• Complete questionnaires about your health habits and give updates about your medical history one to two times a year.
• Give the ColoCare team permission to access medical records about your cancer diagnosis and treatment.
• Give small blood and saliva samples as well as urine/stool samples before cancer surgery and 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery.
• Allow us to study some of the cancer tissue the surgeon removes to treat your cancer.

The ColoCare Study may help researchers understand how health habits relate to characteristics in blood and tumors. This information may uncover the most successful prevention strategies and cancer treatments.

Why be part of ColoCare?

Learning how to improve cancer treatment is a process that takes time. Today's cancer patients benefit from the medical knowledge gained through studies done before, just as future cancer patients will benefit from what we learn through research studies today. ColoCare Study volunteers are vital to advancing our knowledge about improving health after a cancer diagnosis. Your involvement now can make a difference for future colorectal cancer patients. Our Community Advisory Board can help you answer questions from a study participant’s perspective.

Important Notes

• Participating in the ColoCare Study will not change your medical care.
• The ColoCare team will coordinate blood and tissue sample collection directly with your doctors and nurses.
• Your participation is voluntary and confidential.
• You can stop participating any time.

Colorectal Cancer Facts

• In Utah, colorectal cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer.
• Regular screening helps find colorectal cancer early, when it is most curable. Screening is especially important for relatives of people with the disease.
• The chances of curing colorectal cancer depend on the stage at diagnosis. Staging tells how far it has developed and if cells have spread in the body.
• On average, 2 out of 3 patients live longer than 5 years after diagnosis. Early-stage cancers which have not spread to lymph nodes can be cured in nearly 9 out of 10 people.
• Colorectal cancer research has had major successes—even for patients with late-stage disease. Participating in research studies builds our knowledge about new treatments.
• Research studies have also shown how patients can improve well-being and prognosis. Exercise is an important part. Contact the Linda B. and Robert B. Wiggins Wellness & Integrative Health Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute to learn more: 801-587-4585.

The ColoCare Study aims to identify factors that help patients get better.

For more information about this study or to participate:

The ColoCare Study Team
Phone: 801-213-5784
Fax: 801-585-0900
Email: colocarestudy@hci.utah.edu

The information posted on this site is consistent with the research reviewed and approved by the University of Utah Institutional Review Board (IRB). However, the IRB has not reviewed all material posted on this site. Contact the IRB if you have questions regarding your rights as a research participant. Also contact the IRB if you have questions, complaints, or concerns which you do not feel you can discuss with the investigator. The University of Utah IRB may be reached by phone at (801) 581-3655 or by email at irb@hsc.utah.edu.