I was excited to learn recently of a new cancer drug called olaparib. Not only does olaparib show promise by targetting specific cancer cells (thus sparing healthy ones), its inrended use will be for hereditary cancer caused by faulty BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes – which includes some colon, prostate and ovarian cancers. These are some of the cancers faced by Ostomyland Members.

So far the small scale patient trial has shown remarkable benefit for patients with breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. The next step is to extend the trial.

Breakthrough Breast Cancer scientists think that if future trials are positive, olaparib could offer hope to patients with certain types of breast and ovarian cancers that are currently hard to treat. Scientists are already suggesting that it could be used for other forms of cancer with similar characteristics and open the door to a new generation of cancer treatments using the same approach.

They hope that olaparib may also work for some people who do not have a BRCA gene fault.

For more information see these two web articles:
Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre Pioneering Work Leads To Patient Trial Of New Generation Cancer Drug

Can you tell me about olaparib?

Don J. Schiller, MD, FACS, a recognized expert in BCIR surgery for continent and conventional ileostomy patients, will deliver an address on August 21, 2009 at the 24th Annual Education Symposium of the Quality Life Association (more information on QLA at http://www.ileostomy-surgery.com). This is a nonprofit nationwide association aimed at meeting the special needs of a person with a continent diversion and to educate others of the latest advances in ostomy options. The program this year at the meeting in Mesa, AZ features Dr. Schiller who will be speaking about the current status of the continent ileostomy in America and around the world. He will also be participating in the Physicians Panel and Breakout Groups.

Dr. Schiller has been performing the Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir or BCIR procedure since 1989. The Barnett Pouch procedure evolved out of the original Kock Pouch continent ileostomy. The BCIR is a type of ileostomy that does not require wearing an external stoma appliance or bag. It stores intestinal waste and gas until a convenient time when the person inserts a catheter to evacuate the pouch contents into a toilet receptacle. It therefore gives a patient control over the discharge of their intestinal waste.

The BCIR is for people (usually with Ulcerative Colitis or Familial Polyposis) that need to undergo total colectomy meaning removal of their large intestine – the colon and rectum – to cure their disease or condition. It is an alternative to a conventional Brooke ileostomy with the bag, and also is performed for people who have a poor outcome from an ileoanal “J” Pouch or who cannot undergo the J pouch procedure. Anyone in overall good health with a malfunctioning ileostomy, including people with a stoma hernia or stoma prolapse or retraction, are candidates to be considered for the BCIR continent ileostomy. A malfunctioning ileostomy includes people with physical difficulties managing with their ileostomy appliance as well as people with emotional or psychological difficulties dealing with their stoma. A “bag-free” life is possible for ileostomy patients!

For more information, visit:
http://ileostomy-surgery.com/Ileostomy_and_BCIR_Frequently_Asked_Questions.html

About the Ileostomy Surgery Center:
The Ileostomy Surgery Center is the leading surgical center west of the Mississippi for the BCIR procedure (Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir). Headed by Don J. Schiller, MD, FACS, the center has been at the forefront of developments in ileostomy Surgery.

Contact:
The Ileostomy Surgery Center
9808 Venice Blvd, Suite 603
Culver City, CA 90232
Phone: (310) 204-4565
Fax: (310) 204-4566
http://www.ileostomy-surgery.com

NB: Ostomyland is not responsible for content outside of its own ostomyland.com/.org domains, and any services featured on Ostomyland are used at your own risk.

Aged just 41 with a 3 year old son, Lynn Faulds Wood was diagnosed with bowel cancer and given only a 34 per cent chance of survival.

That was 17 years ago. Since then Lynn has been campaigning for greater awareness and research into the disease. And the statistics have improved significantly.

In 2002 the voluntary charity Lynn’s Bowel Cancer Campaign was launched to help raise awareness of the disease and to highlight the symptoms to prevent more people dying.

Lynn and her team have a theme – spots. In the same way that ‘pink’ works for Breast Cancer Awareness Lynn hopes ‘spots’ will be synonymous with bowel cancer.

Lynn explains:
“We’ve chosen spots because we want people to know how to spot the symptoms, spot if it is in their family, and spot if screening has started in their area. By going ‘Spotty’ we hope to help break any taboos surrounding this common, and cruel cancer. We can’t afford to be squeamish and shy anymore in talking about bottoms and bowels. We hope people will join in the fun with a serious purpose and hold ‘Spotty’ themed days all over the country.”

For more information and to take part go to the
Lynn’s Bowel Cancer Campaign Website.

Ostomyland goes spotty to recognise the UK's Bowel Cancer Faster Diagnosis Week June 8th - 15th 2009