Pro Pharma Talks

What is it? Colorectal cancer 3rd most diagnosed cancer in US (men & women) S/S = blood in stool, GI irritation, irregular stools, chronic diarrhea, sudden weight loss Diagnostic = colonoscopy – polyps, inflammation, ulcers, abnormal growths ACS testing guidelines Asymptomatic, negative family history, no polyps – every 10 years Low-risk polyps – 5 years High-risk polyps What causes it? Cause Age (90% of cases for people > 50 y/o) Family history Race – African Americans (new Dx 20% higher in Blacks, and death rates 40% higher) Ethnicity – Ashkenazi Jews Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease Low whole grain diets Genetic predisposition Smoking, alcohol use, lack of exercise, diabetes How is it treated? Stage O, I -- Sx Stage II – Sx + Adj Chemo Stage III – Sx + Adj Chemo Stage IV – Sx + Chemo Chemo + Targeted Tx Gene types – + immunotherapy Radiation ____ Make