In-House CRC Research
Digging Deep for Patients and Caregivers
The Alliance puts the patient at the center of everything we do. Through in-house research, we are building knowledge around critical issues for patients’ direct benefit.
Young-Onset CRC Research
The Alliance’s Never Too Young patient and caregiver survey and reports, which share the self-reported medical, psychosocial, and quality of life experiences of these often-overlooked populations, highlights the experience and needs of the young-onset CRC community.
Our latest Never Too Young Survey Report, based on data from a 2019 survey of 885 patients, survivors, and caregivers, provided key young-onset trends and findings, including lack of awareness about symptoms and delayed diagnosis.
The latest Caregiver Survey Report highlighted the knowledge and support gaps reported by more than 200 caregivers, including needs related to medical decision making, financial support, parenting, mental health, and household and patient transportation issues.
Biomarker Research
Biomarker testing refers to the analysis of tumor (tissue biopsy) or blood (liquid biopsy) samples to detect changes in DNA, RNA, or proteins in cancer cells. Test results and subsequent treatment decision-making can aid in more effective and lifesaving treatment planning.
With more than a dozen known mutations in colorectal cancer, and growing knowledge about different efficacy of drug options dependent on biomarker status, it is critical that patients and their care teams learn about their impactful mutations as part of treatment planning. Yet biomarker testing in colorectal cancer remains low.
The Alliance is committed to understanding patient and caregiver barriers to accessing the benefits of biomarker testing, while developing the resources and navigation to assist them.