Genetic Link To Cancer Paves Way For New Prevention Research (NAPSA)—There could be good news for thousands ofAmericans at high risk for colon cancer. Extensive research of a rare, inherited condi- tion is helping researchers understand how to target and stop polyps from becoming cancer. “Hereditary factors related to colorectal cancer have allowed us to learn a lot about the disease, its treatment and most importantly, its prevention,” said Mark Bennett Pochapin, M.D., Director of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Asso- ciate Professor of Clinical Medicine ee A ee Dy peer ae at Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Patients with the devastating condition known as familial adeno- matous polyposis (FAP), develop hundreds to thousands of polyps throughout the colon, which,if left untreated, almost always develops into colorectal cancer. The regular screenings, treatments, and surgery to prevent the progression of FAP to colorectal cancer is not the norm for the thousands of Americans who will be diagnosed with much more common formsof colorectal cancer. Less than one-third of Americans over the age of 50 have undergone any type of recommendedcolorectal cancer screening. Although she does not have FAP, actress Donna Mills knows Actress Donna Mills urgesall Americansto learn abouttheir risk factors for colorectal cancer. the family level and to educate American families about personal and hereditary risks associated with colorectal cancer. “Family ties to colorectal cancer matter. I’m sharing my personal experience to encourage families to speak to their loved ones about risk factors within their family tree,” said Mills. Adds Dr. Pochapin, “We’ve dis- covered methods of intervening to treat the growths that can become cancer, the arthritis medicine CELEBREX is approved by the FDA to reduce the number of pre- that she could be at increased risk cancerous growths in patients with FAP.” Americans are encouraged to strengthen their family ties 40s. She’s joining the National Colorectal Cancer Research against colorectal cancer. Visit www.tacethefap.com to answer eleven simple questions that will about the hereditary link to col- orectal cancer and the potential for the disease, as her father developed colorectal cancer in his Alliance (NCCRA), the Hereditary Colon Cancer Association (HCCA) and New York-Presbyterian Hospital to encourage families across America to “Face the FAP”—a national campaign to encourage frank discussion of the disease at and take action in the fight help assess your risk of developing colorectal cancer. For more information regarding colorectal cancer, screening, risk factors, treatment and prevention, call 1-866-FACE-FAP or access www.facethefap.com.
