News

Over the last three decades, colorectal cancer survival in the United States has improved significantly. But in young people incidence and mortality due to colorectal cancer are on the rise. Even among patients with early-stage colorectal cancer, racial disparities have grown more pronounced, with survival after colorectal cancer diagnosis poorer among African Americans compared with whites. Charles R. Rogers, PhD, MPH, MS, is working to better understand these factors in young people with colorectal cancer in order to help improve outcomes and reduce related disparities from this preventable disease.

I’ve heard the new coronavirus is a marathon, not a sprint. Marathon runners have moments when they push themselves, moments when they preserve energy, and moments when they shore up for a long stretch. Maybe our spirits can use an infusion of joy once in a while—even small joy, like a fun taste, silly moment, or simple connection. What can your joy infusions be? When can you have one?

Taryn Palmer lost her father to stage IV colorectal cancer. As she and her family tried to find some way to reconcile their grief with celebrating his life, Taryn discovered Dress in Blue Day, a way to increase awareness about colon cancer risk and encourage early screening. Dress in Blue Day has meant so much to her and her family as they honor their father and fight back against this devastating disease.

To recognize National Minority Health Month, we spoke to two of our staff about their on-the-ground work to address health disparities, and why they value diversity in cancer research and care.

Huntsman Cancer Institute contributed to two research studies involving how microbes living in and on our body play a role in the development of colorectal cancer.

Each year around 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer and more than 50,000 die from it. The good news is that colorectal cancer is highly preventable through screening. And you can lower your risk for developing the disease by making some lifestyle changes.

By unraveling the link between obesity and gastrointestinal cancers, researchers hope to develop effective treatments and strategies for lowering cancer risk. A team of scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute published a wide review of findings on the biological links between obesity and gastrointestinal cancers. They also examined studies on how diet, exercise, and other weight-related interventions may help reverse this connection.

Post-doctoral fellow Andreana Holowatyj, PhD, received an award for her work studying colorectal cancer in young adults from the Conquer Cancer Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.