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Our Conversations Webinar Series is an opportunity to link national experts in colorectal cancer and other related fields to you, right in the comfort of your own home. The programs are designed to empower you to play a leading role in your healthcare management.

We recently hosted Latest in CRC: Findings from the 2016 ASCO Annual Meeting where we explored what advances and findings from this year's ASCO meeting mean regarding treatment, patient care, survivorship and more!                          

Couldn’t make the webinar? Get our Top 5 Takeaways and watch the replay for updates on treatment, research, patient care and more!

Top 5 Takeaways

1. Participate in clinical trials!

It’s a misconception that clinical trials are only for the newly diagnosed or those with late stage disease. Also, clinical trials are not just a last ditch effort and very few clinical trials are placebo. Don’t assume you don’t qualify for a trial!

2. Right-sided colon cancer is different than left-sided cancer

While all the factors around sidedness are still being investigated, studies have shown that right sided colon cancer symptoms show up later and is diagnosed at a later stage. In addition, it is more often characterized by flat, sessile polyps that are more difficult to detect during screening tests. In addition, genetic mutations like MSI-H and BRAF mutant are more common to right sided colon cancer. Further study of tumor specimens will help us improve and individualize care, and it looks like one day, sidedness will eventually be used as a biomarker for metastatic colorectal cancer.

3. Metastatic colorectal cancer patients are benefiting from immunotherapy clinical trials

Many of the trials presented at ASCO are still recruiting. In MSI-H, a complete and durable response is seen in 50 percent of patients with pembrolizumab. In MSS, Cobimetinib plus atezolizumab has shown a 17 percent Overall Response Rate (significant tumor shrinkage) in tumors.

4. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can provide direct evidence of residual disease in stage II

This may be useful as a marker of who may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

5. Many NCI Comprehensive Cancer Centers are doing Remote 2nd opinions or virtual consults

If you don’t have a center close to you, you may still be able to send your records. Go to the hospital’s website and search for “remote second opinions” or “virtual consults.” Unfortunately, this service is not available everywhere and there’s no central database.

Did you have questions from the webinar? Take a look at the Q&A to find the answers to your questions!

Don’t forget, the Colon Cancer Alliance serves as a source of information about colon health. If you have additional questions about colon cancer screening or are in need of support, please contact our free Helpline at (877) 422-2030. We’re here to help. 

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