There is still time to give in 2012

Can we ask you to take two more action this year to help start 2013 off right?

1. Make a donation—however much you can afford to give will help.
2. Share this message with your friends to help spread awareness.

Your donation to Susie's Cause is tax deductible and it does so much to further our life saving prevention and awareness programs.  Please give generously to help eradicate colon cancer as a life threatening disease.

 

Donate Today

Cheers to screening and prevention, let's nip colon cancer in the polyp—bottoms up!

Share this Message

We Need Your Help to Save Lives in 2013

As you plan your end-of-year giving, please consider making a tax deductible donation to Susie's Cause. Last year alone, over 50,000 people died of colon cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths of men and women. This is due in part to the lack of comfort about discussion of the disease and proper screening efforts. The encouraging truth is that this disease is over 90% curable when detected and treated early. 

Donations support community Health Fairs and other programs that raise awareness to make a bigger impact on the communities we serve. These Health Fairs focus on under-served communities where statistically, colon cancer diagnosis and death rates are alarmingly high. Health Fairs provide a day of overall health education with a particular focus on colon cancer screening and prevention combined with entertainment, fun, and food for the entire family. Held in conjunction with local hospitals, medical centers and health organizations, the fairs provide an opportunity for the community to take advantage of screenings for blood pressure, heart rate and other services conducted by our partner health institutions. 

 

2013 Programs - Community Health Fairs
 
We are currently developing our programs for 2013 and plan to kick off the next Health Fair in the spring during Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Funding for 2013 comes from corporate and public donations. Any amount you wish to give is welcomed and appreciated.
 

 

Donate Now 
Your donation is tax deductible, completely secure, and sent directly to Susie's Cause.

As always, we appreciate your support. Stay healthy. This holiday season, give the gift of peace of mind by encouraging a loved one to get a colon cancer screening.

If you prefer, you could support Susie’s Cause by hosting an event or fundraiser. Your grassroots events are a great way to honor and remember family members as well as support Susie's Cause. Is there something you would like to do to support Susie's Cause in 2013?

If so, please contact us at (410) 244-1778.

Every donation  and event helps us get the word out, provide more services and host bigger and better Health Fairs in more communities.

Warm Wishes for Happy and Healthy Holidays

 

 Giving generously in honor of loved ones requires no wrapping paper and supports colon cancer screening and prevention awareness.

Donate Today

3 Dudes in a Canoe

The folks at Susie’s Cause continue to be amazed and humbled by all of the creative, heart-felt ways that people from around the country have used their skills and interests to further our life saving mission nationwide. The Three Dudes – Jeff, Kevin and David Moore were casting about for a way to honor their mom, Kathy Moore, after she passed away from colon cancer at the young age of 54. The three brothers eventually decided that dedicating their participation in a 100 mile paddling race down the Kansas River from Manhattan, Kansas to Lawrence, Kansas would be an epic adventure worthy of their mom. Other adventured followed and we continue to look forward to hearing from them as they plan new races and raise funds for our cause each year.

We are honored that the 3 Dudes teamed up with the Susan Cohan Colon Cancer Foundation to help raise money for colon cancer awareness and research. The Susan Cohan Colon Cancer Foundation was formed in Susan (Susie) Cohan’s honor. Her vision was that no other family would experience the pain that her family endured. Susie was the same age as Kathy when she died – 54.

The Dudes went on to create a blog and a Facebook page to highlight their adventures and support Susie’ Cause.

Have you ever considered hosting a colon cancer awareness event in your community?

Getting Started Planning a Colon Cancer Awareness Event
We know how busy folks are. That’s why our experts are here to make planning an event in your community as easy as possible. Our talented team and organizing tools are ready to lend you a hand with everything from a race or golf tournament, a gala or concert, a high school or college fundraiser, a pet event, bake sale, back yard cookout, or any event that you are passionate about. The more creative and fun, the better!

For more information on how to plan a successful event please contact Foundation Director and Event Coordinator Kim Cohan at kim@coloncancerfoundation.org or call 410.244.1778.

We have made fundraising simple and easy too. Just visit www.firstgiving.com/susiescause and create your own fundraising page. It’s all menu-driven and the funds are automatically sent to Susie’s Cause. Try it! It just may save someone's life.

Josh's St. Louis Rockin' For Awareness Gala

We are so impressed with Josh Menacher for taking the initiative to host the First Annual Rockin' For Awareness Gala in Saint Louis, Missouri. Josh was inspired to bring a gala to St. Louis after attending the Memories Gala in Baltimore last spring.  We are  excited about the growing number of local communities and individuals around the country who are stepping up to create their own events to raise funds and spread the word about Susie’s Cause. We are so appreciative of each one of you. 

Josh’s event took place at The Franklin Room located in the Historic Neighborhood of Soulard. The event was designed to support the Susie’s Cause. This fun evening featured an open bar, gourmet dinner buffet and silent auction. Keeping the event lively was the heart pounding music of the Feudin Hillbillys, a popular local band.

Are you inspired by Josh’s go-getter attitude to help in raising awareness about life saving screening? You can get started planning your own event, asking us about volunteer opportunities, or simply make a tax deductible donation of any size right now.

For more inspiration and ideas, visit our page on getting involved today.

Getting Started Planning a Colon Cancer Awareness Event

Our experts are here to make planning an event in your community as easy as possible. Our talented team and organizing tools are ready to lend you a hand with everything from a race or golf tournament, a gala or concert, a high school or college fundraiser, a pet event, bake sale, back yard cookout, or any event that you are passionate about. The more creative and fun, the better!

For more information on how to plan a successful event please contact Foundation Director and Event Coordinator Kim Cohan at kim@coloncancerfoundation.org or call 410.244.1778.

We have made fundraising simple and easy too. Just visit www.firstgiving.com/susiescauseand create your own fundraising page. It’s all menu driven and the funds are automatically sent to Susie’s Cause. Try it! It just may save someone's life.

Ideas to Support Loved Ones Battling Cancer

Posted by Barbara Armstrong Green

Have you ever been faced with helping a loved on who is battling cancer?  What are some of the ways you might help? Our creative friends at Care.com gave us a great idea for helping  a loved one who is battling colon cancer.  The idea is to develop a practical list of ways that friends and family can support their loved one. 

That got me thinking about some great ways my family and friends supported my sister  in her four-year battle with colon cancer.

Soon after she was diagnosed, a group of friends and colleagues organized a meal schedule. Each day a different delicious meal arrived. Two other friends showed up to weed her garden because they knew what comfort it would give her.

 
Other ideas to help and lift a loved one's spirits:

• Spend time with a loved one during long chemotherapy sessions.
• Bring music to lighten the mood during hospital visits.
• Help tidy up when he/she doesn't have much energy.
• Help with shopping or small chores. 
• Plan a fun outing.
• Listen.

The important thing to remember is that everyone gives what they can with love.  Every kindness reminds the patient and loved ones that they are not alone in this terrible battle.

Your Turn:   Share an idea in the comment box below. You might just make a difference for someone struggling with cancer.   And don’t forget to click back to the Susie's Cause web site for more information on colon cancer.

http://www.care.com/senior-care-how-to-help-a-parent-who-has-cancer-p1017-q21716579.html

Medical Disclaimer

The information presented on the Susan Cohan Colon Cancer web site is solely intended to provide you with information that will help educate you on the importance of diet, exercise and regular cancer screening in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Adopting these habits is an individual choice and one that should only be made after consultation with your health care professional. No information provided on this Web site or otherwise offered is intended to replace or in any way modify the advice of your health care professional.

Thanks to our 2012 Community Fundraisers like Marie...

There have been so many wonderful, new events in 2012! Each event provided support and fun to our communities nationwide and raised funds for Susie's Cause in a unique way. Over the next few weeks we will be reminiscing and bringing you the stories of some of these inspiring ideas and steadfast supporters. 

Here's the story of how Marie Cardona hosted a memorable and lively gala in honor of her mother.

Marie decided to honor her deceased mom by throwing her a big party.  Her mom, Susie Cardona, was only 35 when she died of colon cancer.  Had she lived, Marie's mom would have been 54 now. It is tragic how Susie Cardona and Susan Cohan as well as thousands of other young adults fall victim to colon cancer at a young age and Marie is committed to helping lower those numbers.

The gala was held at the Sevilla Restaurant and Tapas Bar in Downtown Long Beach, California, on May 19, 2012. This event was the first ever event on the west coast to benefit Susie’s Cause. A few of us from Susie’s Cause were fortunate enough to attend and we were privileged to be among the hundreds of guests gathered to honor the lives of Marie’s late mother, Susie Cardona, as well as our own Susie Cohan.

Marie's event raised $8,000 and donations are still coming. All of the donations go to the Susan Cohan Colon Foundation. The proceeds will go towards colon cancer education and prevention. 

Have you ever considered hosting a colon cancer awareness event in your community? 

Getting Started Planning a Colon Cancer Awareness Event
We know how busy folks are. That’s why our experts are here to make planning an event in your community as easy as possible. Our talented team and organizing tools are ready to lend you a hand with everything from a race or golf tournament, a gala or concert, a high school or college fundraiser, a pet event, bake sale, back yard cookout, or any event that you are passionate about. The more creative and fun, the better!

For more information on how to plan a successful event please contact Foundation Director and Event Coordinator Kim Cohan at kim@coloncancerfoundation.org or call 410.244.1778.

We have made fundraising simple and easy too. Just visit www.firstgiving.com/susiescause and create your own fundraising page. It’s all menu driven and the funds are automatically sent to Susie’s Cause. Try it! It just may save someone's life.

Coping with Loss around the Holidays

It’s that time of year again - the holidays. To paraphrase Charles Dickens’ famous quote, “It is the best of times. It is the worst of times.” I never understood that quote or how people could dread such a wonderful time of year as the holidays until the year that my sister died of colon cancer. I dreaded that first holiday without her. But it actually was very therapeutic for me to gather with our family and friends. What really helped that first year was realizing that I was still connected to a loving community of family and friends despite my loss.

Reaching Out
The holidays can be a difficult time for families battling illness or loss, as you know. One of the most important things grief counselors advise is to set realistic goals. Give yourself permission to tweak family traditions to make the holiday manageable for you and your loved ones and allow yourself time to grieve. My niece battled her grief by playing her mom’s favorite music and rereading her letters and cards. And when she was ready to reach out, she turned to her aunties for support. That support grew into the occasional “Auntie’s Weekend”.

Starting New Traditions
Don't be afraid to start new traditions. They can be energizing. My family started a tradition of visiting a museum over the Christmas holiday. It’s fun and it gets people outside and moving. Other families create a photo album, share family stories about a deceased loved one, or create opportunities to connect with friends and neighbors. There’s no right or wrong way to deal with loss. However you manage the holidays, remember to take care of your own health during stressful times and don't be afraid to reach out for help. We all need it at one time or another.

Your Turn: Post a comment on how you have coped with holiday stress or grief. And don’t forget to click back to the Susie’s Cause web site for more information on colon cancer.

Help Us Make a Difference on #GivingTuesday

 Last year alone, over 50,000 people died of colon cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths of men and women. This is due, in part, to the lack of comfort about discussing the disease and proper screening efforts. The encouraging truth is that this disease is over 90% curable when detected and treated early.


This year on Tuesday November 27, 2012, Susie’s Cause is partnering with #GivingTuesday to raise funds to support our communities.  All donations are sent directly to Susie’s Cause.

Can you see it in your heart to help us with this important goal? Every donation helps us get the word out, provide more services and host bigger and better Health Fairs in more communities.

Health Fairs
Your donation on #GivingTuesday will help our upcoming Health Fairs make a bigger impact on the communities we serve. These Health Fairs focus on underserved communities where statistically, colon cancer diagnosis and death rates are alarmingly high. Each event is designated to provide a day of overall health education with a particular focus on colon cancer screening and prevention combined with entertainment, fun, and food for the entire family. Held in conjunction with local hospitals, medical centers and health organizations, the fairs provide an opportunity for the community to take advantage of screenings for blood pressure, heart rate and other services conducted by our partner health institutions.

2013 Program
We are currently developing our program for 2013 and plan to kick off the next fair in the Spring during Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Funding for 2013 comes from corporate and public donations. Any amount you wish to give is welcomed and appreciated. Donations made through #GivingTuesday are easy, safe, and secure. To learn more about our community health initiatives and support our program, visit us at #GivingTuesday. Create your own fundraising page and invite your family and friends to support our programs.

Here's How

1. Visit#GivingTuesday
2. Click the green "Join Now" button
3. Create your account or sign if you have an account
4. Create your own personal fundraising page – complete with photo and video
5. Make your donation
6. Email the link to your fundraising page to family and friends.

Join us  Facebook to be a part of #GivingTuesday.

To learn more about the national #GivingTuesday participants and activities or to

join the celebration of giving, please visit:www.givingtuesday.org



 

Pictures from a recent Health Fair

 

 



Support Susie's Cause on #GivingTuesday







Please join us for #GivingTuesday. It will make a big difference.

This year, on Tuesday November 27, 2012, Susie's Cause is partnering with #GivingTuesday to raise funds and make a big difference to the communities we serve.

We absolutely need your help to raise public awareness of the importance of timely screening and its positive impact on reducing colon cancer deaths. A donation of any amount will help us produce more Health Fairs and educate more people and save more lives.

The truth about colon cancer is that one out of every 20 U.S. citizens will experience this disease in their lifetime. You can change that by helping Susie's Cause in their effort to increase awareness, not only about colon cancer, but also about how screening works and how it can save lives.

How Your Donation Can Make a Difference
Your donation on #GivingTuesday will help the upcoming Health Fairs make a bigger impact on the communities we serve. Our Health Fairs focus on underserved communities where statistically colon cancer diagnosis and death rates are alarmingly high. Each event is designed to provide a day of overall health education with a particular focus on colon cancer screening and prevention combined with entertainment, fun, and food for the entire family. Held in conjunction with local hospitals, medical centers and health organizations, the fairs provide an opportunity for the community to take advantage of screenings for blood pressure, heart rate and other services conducted by our partner health institutions.

Every donation helps us get the word out, provide more services and host bigger and better  Health Fairs in more communities.

2013 Program
We are currently developing our program for 2013 and plan to kick off the next fair in the Spring during Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Funding for 2013 comes from corporate and public donations. Any amount you wish to give is welcomed and appreciated. Donations made through First Giving are easy, safe, and secure.  All donations are sent directly to Susie's Cause.

About #GivingTuesday
#Giving Tuesday is a movement to celebrate and provide incentives to give. It will culminate with a national day of giving on November 27, 2012. This first-of-its-kind effort harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners - charities, families, businesses and individuals. #GivingTuesday will harness the power of social media to create a national moment around the holidays that is dedicated to giving, similar to how Black Friday and Cyber Monday have become days that are synonymous with holiday shopping.

For more information about colon cancer, please visit our website -
Susan Cohan Colon Cancer Foundation.

Your donation could save a life.

For more information about colon cancer, please visit our website -
Susan Cohan Colon Cancer Foundation

Visit our Giving Tuesday page to make your donation and learn about our community health initiatives.

To learn more about #GivingTuesday participants and activities or to join the celebration of giving, please visit:

Website: www.givingtuesday.org

Join us on Facebook to be a part of Giving Tuesday.

Facebook: : www.facebook.com/ColonCancerFoundation

Pictures from a Recent Health Fair in Baltimore 



We Need Your Help to Eliminate Colon Cancer

Mark your calendars and join us for #GivingTuesday.  

This year, on Tuesday November 27, 2012, Susie’s Cause is partnering with #GivingTuesday to raise funds and make a big difference to the communities we serve. Our Health Fairs focus on preventative education for people of all ages in communities where statistically, colon cancer diagnosis and death rates are alarmingly high. Please consider starting this holiday season out right by donating to support our Health Fairs in 2013.

Think about it. One out of 20 U.S. citizens will experience colon cancer in their lifetime. Last year alone, over 50,000 people died of colon cancer. How can that be when this disease is over 90% curable when detected and treated early? Still, colon cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths of men and women. People are dying because they are not finding the cancer soon enough. This is due, in part, to the lack awareness about screening and the difficulty that some find in discussing the disease and reporting symptoms.

But what can you do? You can help Susie's Cause in their effort to increase awareness, not only about colon cancer, but also about how screening works and how it can save lives.

We absolutely need your help to raise public awareness of the importance of timely screening and its positive impact on reducing colon cancer deaths. A donation of any amount will help us produce more Health Fairs and educate more people and save more lives.

“Colon cancer falls especially hard on underserved communities and we need to get the message out about how to prevent and treat it,” says David Rodman Cohan, president of Susie’s Cause.

Susie’s Cause, works to eliminate colon cancer through the development and dissemination of educational programs focused on prevention, early screening and detection, and aggressive therapeutic intervention. This cause is up close and personal to many people who have lost loved ones, including Susie’s Cause President and Founder David Rodman Cohan, who created the non-profit Colon Cancer Foundation after his 40-year-old daughter and mother of two young children died of the disease.

We do not want to keep hearing heartbreaking stories like that.

Your donation could save a life.
For more information about colon cancer, please visit our website -
Susan Cohan Colon Cancer Foundation.

Visit our #GivingTuesday page to make your donation and learn about our community health initiatives.     

To learn more about #GivingTuesday participants and activities or to join the celebration of giving, please visit:

Website: www.givingtuesday.org

Join us on Facebook to be a part of Giving Tuesday.

Facebook: : www.facebook.com/ColonCancerFoundation

 

 

 

A Recent Health Fair in Baltimore

 

 

Getting Hungry for Thanksgiving Dinner?

 Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

Be sure to invite the Allium family to dinner this year. You remember them. They’re a big and powerful family of vegetables that includes delicious onions, garlic, leeks, chives, shallots, and scallions. They are not only delicious, but also are associated with decreased risks of colorectal and other types of cancer.

Onions and the other vegetables of the Allium family can be added to any and every vegetable dish for great flavor and anti-cancer benefits. Remember that they must be eaten raw and chewed well or chopped finely before cooking to initiative the chemical reaction that forms the protective sulfur compounds. Don't worry about crying as you chop. According to Dr Joel Fuhrman, New York Times bestselling author of his new book Super Immunity, when you cut onions and your eyes tear, they are creating the anti-cancer sulfur compounds.

Click on the Prevention Tab  to learn more about how to prepare these delicious anti-cancer vegetables. 

A Night of Celebration, Dancing and Giving



If shopping 'til you drop isn't your idea of a fun way to spend the Thanksgiving weekend, why not start a new tradition that gets you and your friends and  family off the couch and onto the dance floor?  Join in the fun at Carlo's Bistro in Cockeysville, MD.

On Saturday Nov. 24, 2012, Carlo's is holding "A Night of Dancing, Celebration and Giving".  A portion of all proceeds benefits Susie's Cause. There will be dance music from Sinatra to Disco. This exciting evening will surely sell out so make reservations early. Invite your friends and relatives to join in the good food and lively music.

WHEN and WHERE

Carlo's Italian Bistro is located at 9926 York Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030

Reservations:  410.667.0002

"A Night of Celebration, Dancing & Giving"

Saturday November 24th, 6 to 10 pm

Dinner and entertainment will be provided.

Proceeds benefit Susie's Cause.

 Spread the word by clicking on the following facebook link and inviting friends:

  https://www.facebook.com/events/297921436974979

                               Featuring Frank and Trish

 

My Story - Heather Keogh

 

 



Posted by Barbara Armstrong Green

Welcome. Please take a moment to read this important letter from Heather about how Susie's Cause may have saved her life. The folks at Susie's Cause encourage you to check in with your doctor if you suspect there's something wrong.  And don't be afraid to get a second opinion even if you're not scheduled for colon cancer screening yet.

 

Dear David Cohan,

Back in February 2009 (I was 39 at the time), I had what turned out to be my first symptom of colon cancer. This caused me to do what most of us do today…self-diagnose through internet MD. That is when I first saw Susie’s Story. Of course, I dismissed that this could possibly be my ailment, but our life similarities stuck in my head - around the same age, also a mother of two young children. I was from Florida, but now living in Maryland.

 

At that time, I dismissed my symptom and moved on, but her life story was always in my head. A few months later, the symptom resurfaced and I actually discussed it with my internist. Unfortunately, she also dismissed it, figuring it was nothing to worry about.

 

Then, actually on my 40^th birthday, the symptom returned, and I decided to see a GI doctor. He suggested a colonoscopy, just to be sure, which led to my diagnosis in October 2009. I was lucky to be considered an early diagnosis, stage 2A, and so far I have remained cancer free.

 

I wanted to share this with you, as you may not realize the ways in which your foundation is able to reach people and help save lives. I would be happy to offer my assistance if you have any needs locally. Thank you, for continuing her cause and helping to prevent others from suffering.

Warm regards,
Heather

To learn about colon cancer symptoms, click on the Susie's Cause web site's About Colon Cancer tab.  Please leave a comment below. We welcome people to tell their stories.

 

 



 

With My Girls June 2012
 

With Hubby Above and Family Below





 



Medical Disclaimer

The information presented on the Susan Cohan Colon Cancer web site is solely intended to provide you with information that will help educate you on the importance of diet, exercise and regular cancer screening in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Adopting these habits is an individual choice and one that should only be made after consultation with your health care professional. No information provided on this Web site or otherwise offered is intended to replace or in any way modify the advice of your health care professional. 

What You Need to Know about Vitamin D

 

Posted by Barbara Armstrong Green

Welcome. Vitamin D is something I never paid much attention to.  That’s the sunshine vitamin, I thought.  All I have to do is walk outside for a while and I'm covered. And besides, I can also get Vitamin D from various food sources such as fish, eggs, fortified milk, and cod liver oil.

But it turns out to be more complicated than that. I'm paying attention now and so should you.

According to  Dr. Joel Fuhrman, board certified family physician and New York Times bestselling author of Super  Immunity, "Vitamin D can provide powerful cancer protection. Yet Vitamin D insufficiency is common among Americans overall but more prevalent among African Americans. A recent review of the literature suggests that Vitamin D insufficiency is a key contributor to cancer survival disparities that exist between African Americans and white Americans (darker skin is less efficient at producing vitamin D in response to UV rays).

A striking part of this literature review is the comprehensive summary of the existing data on vitamin D status and cancer survival. The authors present a long list of studies reporting that Vitamin D adequacy is associated with reduced risk of death in all cancers combined, breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer, leukemia and lymphomas.”

Click the Prevention Tab on our web site to read Dr. Fuhrman's entire article.

The author, Dr. Joel Fuhrman is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and board certified family physician specializing in lifestyle and nutritional medicine. His new book Super Immunity discusses how to naturally strengthen the immune system against everything from the common cold to cancer

 Prevention Tab

Medical Disclaimer

The information presented on the Susan Cohan Colon Cancer web site is solely intended to provide you with information that will help educate you on the importance of diet, exercise and regular cancer screening in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Adopting these habits is an individual choice and one that should only be made after consultation with your health care professional. No information provided on this Web site or otherwise offered is intended to replace or in any way modify the advice of your health care professional.



FDA Approves Two New Colorectal Cancer Treatments

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the following two new treatments for advanced colon cancer, Stivarga  and Zaltrap.

Stivarga Approved in September 2012

In September the FDA approved Stivarga to treat patients with colorectal cancer that has progressed after treatment and spread to other parts of the body. Stivarga blocks several enzymes that promote cancer growth.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer affecting both men and in women and the second cause of cancer death in men and in women in the United States. The National Institutes of Health estimates 143,460 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and 51,690 will die from the disease in 2012.

The new drug was reviewed under the FDA’s priority review program that provides an expedited six-month review for drugs that offer major advances in treatment or that provide treatment when no adequate therapy exists, according to the FDA news release on the new treatment. Stivarga is being released one month ahead of schedule.

“Stivarga is the latest colorectal cancer treatment to demonstrate an ability to extend patients’ lives and is the second drug approved for patients with colorectal cancer in the past two months,” said Richard Pazdur, M.D., director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

The safety and effectiveness of Stivarga were evaluated in a single clinical study of 760 patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients were randomly assigned to receive Stivarga or placebo in addition to “best supportive care” BSC. Patients received treatment until their cancers progressed or side effects became unacceptable, according to the FDA.

The FDA reported study results that showed patients treated with Stivarga plus BSC lived a median of 6.4 months compared to a median of five months in patients treated with placebo plus BSC. Results also showed patients treated with Stivarga plus BSC experienced a delay in tumor growth for a median of two months compared to a median of 1.7 months in patients receiving placebo plus BSC.

Stivarga has been approved with an alert to patients and health care professionals that severe and fatal liver toxicity occurred in patients treated with Stivarga during clinical studies. The most common side effects reported in patients treated with Stivarga include weakness or fatigue, loss of appetite, hand-food syndrome, diarrhea, mouth sores, weight loss, infection, high blood pressure, and changes in voice volume or quality.

Choosing the most appropriate cancer treatment is a decision that ideally involves the patient, family, and health care team.

Stivarga was developed by Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. and by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.

Source: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Zaltrap Approved August 2012

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new treatment called Zaltrap for use in combination with a chemotherapy regimen to treat adults with colorectal cancer. Zaltrap inhibits the blood supply to tumors. It is intended for patients whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) and whose tumors are resistant to or progressed after the commonly used chemotherapy regimen, FOLFIRI. 

“This approval demonstrates the benefits of adding a biological agent, Zaltrap, to a commonly used chemotherapy drug regimen, FOLFIRI,” said Richard Pazdur, M.D., director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “An improvement in median survival time was noted with the addition of Zaltrap to FOLFIRI, accompanied by an improvement in response rate and a delay in tumor progression and growth,” according to the FDA.

Zaltrap’s safety and effectiveness was evaluated in a randomized clinical study of 1,226 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer whose cancer grew while receiving oxaliplatin-based combination chemotherapy, or whose cancer was removed by surgery but returned within six months after receiving oxaliplatin-based combination chemotherapy for post-surgery (adjuvant) treatment. Participants received treatment until their cancer progressed or side effects became unacceptable.

The study was designed to measure overall survival, or the length of time a patient lived. Patients who were assigned to receive the Zaltrap plus FOLFIRI combination lived an average of 13.5 months compared to an average of 12 months for those receiving FOLFIRI plus placebo. A reduction in tumor size occurred in 20 percent of patients receiving the Zaltrap plus FOLFIRI combination versus 11 percent for those receiving FOLFIRI plus placebo. In addition, the clinical trial demonstrated an improvement in progression-free survival, or the time a patient lived without the cancer progressing. The progression-free survival for patients receiving the Zaltrap plus FOLFIRI combination was 6.9 months compared with 4.7 months for those receiving FOLFIRI plus placebo.

Zaltrap is being approved with an alert to patients and health care professionals that the drug can cause severe and sometimes fatal bleeding, including gastrointestinal bleeding and the development of holes in the gastrointestinal tract. Zaltrap can also make it more difficult for wounds to heal. The most common side effects observed in patients receiving Zaltrap plus FOLFIRI were decreased white blood cell count, diarrhea, mouth ulcers, fatigue, high blood pressure, increased amount of protein in the urine, weight loss, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, and headache.

Choosing the most appropriate cancer treatment is a decision that ideally involves the patient, family, and health care team.

Zaltrap was developed by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.