Gastro Times, Dr. Alaa Abousaif, M.D.

Study shows sorghum is safe for gluten-free consumers New scientific evidence confirms that sorghum is gluten-free and offers other health benefits. Sorghum has long been used by those with celiac disease, but researchers at the Institute of Genetics and Biophysics in Naples, Italy, say it is completely free of gluten and also has fiber, protein, potassium, calcium, antioxidants and high levels of unsaturated fats. MedicalDaily.com (4/3)

Advanced rectal cancer protocol is promising, study shows A novel treatment for advanced rectal cancer that includes short-term radiation and systemic chemotherapy followed by surgery shows promise and even curative potential for a condition that experts say currently lacks a standard of care. Dutch researchers reported that the novel protocol led to a two-year survival rate of 80%. Medscape (free registration) (4/1)

Study links meat consumption with colorectal adenoma risk A review of studies that included more than 234,000 patients found higher risks for colorectal adenoma with increased consumption of red and processed meats. The researchers found that risk for colorectal adenoma rose as consumption of beef, hamburger, pork or bacon rose. Healio (4/1)

Take action to protect yourself against colorectal cancer ... Colorectal cancer is the No. 2 cancer killer in the U.S., yet it is one of the most preventable types of cancer. Colorectal cancer is often curable when detected early. That's why colonoscopy every 10 years is the preferred colorectal cancer prevention test. For normal-risk individuals, the American College of Gastroenterology recommends colonoscopy beginning at age 50, and age 45 for African-Americans. Learn more and visit the ACG Colorectal Cancer Health Center to find what you need to know about colorectal cancer including risk factors, screening options and prevention strategies. See more

Celebrity chef touts benefits of colon-friendly foods "Hell's Kitchen" winner Rock Harper is working with Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation’s Eat4Life event in Washington, D.C., to promote a colon-friendly diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and light on meats. "You can have a great meal without meat. You can create that same sort of mouth play with other foods, but you need to work at it," he said. Express/The Washington Post (3/19)

Fact: Most early colorectal cancers produce no symptoms ... This is why screening for colorectal cancer is so important. Symptoms of colorectal cancer vary depending on the location of the cancer within the colon or rectum, and there may be no symptoms at all. The prognosis tends to be worse in symptomatic than asymptomatic individuals. The most common presenting symptom of colorectal cancer is rectal bleeding.

Make that call for colon cancer screening ... If you are age 50 or older, we urge you to Make That Call to your doctor today to schedule an appointment for colon cancer screening. If you are younger than 50 but have risk factors that increase your risk for colorectal cancer, Make That Call to your doctor to discuss screening at a younger age. With appropriate screening and early detection, this disease is often preventable and highly curable. It's your call. And it could save your life. Learn more. The American College of Gastroenterology, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health & Center for Advanced Digestive Care, the New York Citywide Colon Cancer Control Coalition, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Colon Cancer Alliance and New York Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy as well as participating NYC businesses and organizations are partnering to help increase colon cancer awareness and screening through the Make That Call campaign. See more

Screening for African-Americans should begin earlier Compared with other ethnic groups, African-Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a younger age, and those with colorectal cancer have decreased survival. Colonoscopy is the preferred method of screening for colorectal cancer, and data support the recommendation that African-Americans should begin screening at a younger age because of the higher incidence of colorectal cancer and a greater prevalence of proximal or right-sided polyps and cancer in this population. Learn more.

Study supports screening to reduce the risk of advanced CRC A University of Pennsylvania study found people who underwent a colonoscopy in the past 10 years were 71% less likely to develop advanced colon cancer than those who did not have the screening. Researchers found those who had sigmoidoscopy had a 50% reduced risk of colon cancer, but they noted sigmoidoscopy was associated with prevention of advanced tumors on only one side of the colon. Reuters (3/4)

Super Colon helps open door to bowel talk A giant inflatable colon was set up in New York City's Times Square last week to kick off Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The Prevent Cancer Super Colon travels the country to educate the public about CRC and tour guide Cheryssa Jensen says while people who go through the exhibit laugh and are shy at first, after a while they begin to share information. Programs like this and a billboard promotion in Canada are meant to pull back the curtain on a difficult-to-discuss issue, says gastrointestinal oncologist Dr. Jordan Berlin. "They're trying to say, yes, you're embarrassed to talk about it, but it is it really worth risking your life not to talk about this?" ABC News (3/4)

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Join ACG in support of the Colon Cancer Alliance’s National Dress in Blue Day Currently, colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States -- but it doesn’t have to stay this way. Early detection through screening can dramatically reduce your risk for this disease. This means having your colon checked regularly starting at age 50 -- or sooner if you are at higher risk. ACG recommends screening for African-Americans begin at age 45. Join the Colon Cancer Alliance’s (CCA) National Dress in Blue Day on March 1, or plan your Dress in Blue Day to help raise awareness for colon cancer. Learn how you can get involved. Visit ACG’s Colorectal Cancer Health Center for more information, tools and resources

March puts emphasis on colorectal cancer prevention March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a time that calls attention to what experts say is an extraordinarily preventable disease. Gastroenterologists say patients are finding it easier to prepare for a screening colonoscopy because of newer bowel preparations that taste better, use less fluid volume and are done closer to the procedure time. And it's worth the effort, they say. "If you catch it while it's still in the lining of the colon, survival is 90 percent. If it's gone through the wall of the colon into the lymph nodes or distant organs, the prognosis is very poor," said Dr. Robert Schade. The Patriot-News (Harrisburg, Pa.) (2/23)

ACG note: The guidance specifically cites the ACG and the other GI societies in its decision to remove cost-sharing for those screening colonoscopies that turn into diagnostic or "therapeutic" procedures