Written by Andrea (Andi) Dwyer, Director of the Colorado Cancer Screening Program July 1, 2020 marked the start of another year of funding for the Colorado Cancer Screening Program (CCSP) for Patient Navigation but just like most things in 2020… it’s not just another year for a decade long program.  CCSP is a Program of the University of Colorado Cancer Center with faculty and staff leadership of the Colorado School of Public health.  CCSP supports the safety net clinics of Colorado to increase colorectal cancer screening and also expanding to better uptake of lung cancer and heredit ..read more

An increase in HPV vaccinations reduces the need for screening of the disease. Last month the American Cancer Society (ACS) released updated guidelines for cervical cancer screening. The most notable change in guidelines is the changes in the age to begin screening. Per the new guidelines, it is recommended that cervical cancer screening begin at age 25. Previously, the starting age for screening was 21. Additionally, ACS recommends that human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is the preferred method of screening and can be done every five years. However, HPV testing is not yet widely available, th ..read more

Patients and Oncologists need to join together to increase conversations about oncofertility when diagnosed with cancer. As survival rates of many common cancers have improved it is no surprise that conversations around fertility preservation have also increased. These advances in treatments are letting patients think about their future beyond cancer, and if that future includes children. However, there still are some doctors who are wary about oncofertility because of the delay in beginning treatment. On the other side, you have the patient who is commonly overwhelmed by the medications and t ..read more

Underserved patients need better access to latest leukemia treatments A key component in treating newly diagnosed leukemia is genetic and molecular testing. With this knowledge, physicians can better determine which treatment options are best suited for patients based on genetic mutations, fusions and other biologic features.  While these tests are critical for all patients with leukemia, they are not always easily accessible, especially for patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Because of this, not all patients have access to the cutting-edge treatments available for their disease ..read more

Underserved patients need better access to latest leukemia treatments A key component in treating newly diagnosed leukemia is genetic and molecular testing. With this knowledge, physicians can better determine which treatment options are best suited for patients based on genetic mutations, fusions and other biologic features.  While these tests are critical for all patients with leukemia, they are not always easily accessible, especially for patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Because of this, not all patients have access to the cutting-edge treatments available for their disease ..read more

Reducing the burden of disease starts with understanding the reasons behind disparities  Black and Hispanic children diagnosed with brain and central nervous system (CNS) cancers have worse outcomes than their white counterparts in the United States. The reasons behind this are unclear but may include socioeconomic factors and/or limited access to quality care. Now, researchers at the University of Colorado (CU) Cancer Center and Children’s Hospital Colorado on the Anschutz Medical Campus are collaborating to better understand these disparities, as well as develop ways to reduce the burde ..read more

Delayed cancer screening and reduction in treatments show the dangers of the coronavirus pandemic to present and future cancer patients. COVID-19 is the most talked about health concern in 2020, but for many, it is not the deadliest disease. University of Colorado Cancer Center leadership is bringing attention to the fact that people may die from preventable cancers because of the pandemic’s interruption to the health care system. “Cancer is still the number one cause of death in Colorado,” says Cathy Bradley, deputy director of the CU Cancer Center and Colorado School of Public Health’s assoc ..read more

Research grant hopes to improve the outcomes of pediatric patients with rhabdomyosarcoma Paul Jedlicka, MD, PhD University of Colorado Cancer Center member and associate professor of Pathology Paul Jedlicka, MD, PhD, has received the St. Baldrick’s Research Grant with generous support from Marlee’s Smile. His research will focus on better understanding the mechanisms behind rhabdomyosarcoma, a common and aggressive cancer type in children. The goal of the research is to identify new approaches to interfering with disease progression.  Genetic changes linked to aggressive nature of rhabdom ..read more

On July 23rd, Richard Schulick, MD, MBA, director of the University of Colorado (CU) Cancer Center, Cathy Bradley, PhD, deputy director of the CU Cancer Center, James DeGregori, PhD, deputy director of the CU Cancer Center, took part in a virtual panel that highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on cancer as well as the ways the CU Cancer Center is redefining cancer care. The panel was moderated by Don Elliman, Chancellor of the Anschutz Medical Campus. COVID-19 Impacts at the CU Cancer Center The panel started by recognizing the severe impact that COVID-19 has had on the United States and the ent ..read more

Any alcohol consumption is known to increase cancer risk. The American Cancer Society recently updated its recommendation from limiting alcohol to avoiding alcohol altogether to reduce cancer risk. Here, the University of Colorado Cancer Center discusses this update with Valaree Williams, MS, RD, CSO, CNSC, FAND, lead dietician from the Oncology Supportive Services at UCHealth. Why is it important for patients with cancer to limit or avoid alcohol altogether? Williams: The American Cancer Society Guideline for Diet and Physical Activity of Cancer Prevention state that it is best not to drink a ..read more