‘Colon-aid’ the Yeovil District Bowel Cancer Support Group
Study one by Gary Slater et al looked at Clinicopathologic Correlations of ABO and Rhesus Blood Type in Colorectal Cancer. “Abstract: There is no specific association established between colorectal cancer and blood group type. In this study, the distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups was studied in 838 patients with colorectal cancer. There was no difference in distribution of ABO blood groups between patients who were Rh+ and Rh-. There was no difference in ABO blood group or Rh factor and tumour location. Although there was no difference in stage distribution for each ABO blood group, there was a significant difference between Rh+ and Rh- groups. It is not clear, however, whether the prognosis is different between the two groups since there were more early tumours as well as incurable tumours in the Rh- group. Further studies on blood group antigens are needed to elucidate the relationship between these antigens and colorectal cancer.”
Study two related to Colorectal Cancer in the Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish Population and a gene mutation called APC I130K found in 6 percent of the Ashkenazi Jewish population and 28 percent of Ashkenazi families with a history of colon cancer. Ashkenazi Jews make up more than 90 percent of the Jewish population of the United States. A gene test has been developed to look for this single gene mutation. Whilst this study did not apply to us there was a feeling among our group that future research might well identify a gene related to colorectal cancer and that it was not all down to lifestyle.
Dietary Aspects
Following last months discussions on the topic Rowland presented three fact sheets he obtained from Bowel Cancer UK. Fact sheet 7 related to diarrhoea after bowel surgery. Fact sheet 9 related to staying healthy after colorectal cancer. Fact sheet 12 related to current dietary advice. Copies were made available to members who wanted them.
Open Forum
The open forum part of the meeting comprised a wide ranging discussion of peripheral neuropathy; this had been requested by a member who was experiencing fairly severe problems with hands and feet. A survey of patients present at the meeting gave the following results:
Member 1 (a) Received oxaliplatin as part of treatment.
(b) Still experiences severe difficulties with hands and feet.
(c) Has arranged for blood tests with GP.
(d) Is having reflexology treatment for hands and feet.
Member 2 (a) Did not receive oxaliplatin.
(b) Did not experience finger and toe effects.
Member 3 (a) Same as member 2.
Study two related to Colorectal Cancer in the Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish Population and a gene mutation called APC I130K found in 6 percent of the Ashkenazi Jewish population and 28 percent of Ashkenazi families with a history of colon cancer. Ashkenazi Jews make up more than 90 percent of the Jewish population of the United States. A gene test has been developed to look for this single gene mutation. Whilst this study did not apply to us there was a feeling among our group that future research might well identify a gene related to colorectal cancer and that it was not all down to lifestyle.
Dietary Aspects
Following last months discussions on the topic Rowland presented three fact sheets he obtained from Bowel Cancer UK. Fact sheet 7 related to diarrhoea after bowel surgery. Fact sheet 9 related to staying healthy after colorectal cancer. Fact sheet 12 related to current dietary advice. Copies were made available to members who wanted them.
Open Forum
The open forum part of the meeting comprised a wide ranging discussion of peripheral neuropathy; this had been requested by a member who was experiencing fairly severe problems with hands and feet. A survey of patients present at the meeting gave the following results:
Member 1 (a) Received oxaliplatin as part of treatment.
(b) Still experiences severe difficulties with hands and feet.
(c) Has arranged for blood tests with GP.
(d) Is having reflexology treatment for hands and feet.
Member 2 (a) Did not receive oxaliplatin.
(b) Did not experience finger and toe effects.
Member 3 (a) Same as member 2.