More than 4000 people who returned negative or inconclusive results when they used defective bowel cancer tests have now received positive test results.

Almost half a million faulty tests were sent out between May and December last year.

The Federal Government had given out 475,000 test kits to people when they turned 50,55 and 65 to try to catch cases of bowel cancer early.

Figures from the Health Department show 4444 people who previously returned a negative or inconclusive result after using the faulty kits have returned a positive result after using new kits.

Cancer & Bowel Research Trust encourages you to get involved with the 40th Sun-Herald City2Surf Fun Run in Sydney which is on Sunday, August 8, 2010. Join in all the fun of this fantastic community event.

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It may not have the same broad appeal as Grand Theft Auto or Mario Kart, but the colonoscopy simulator developed by the CSRIO has taken gaming technology to a new level.

Colon cancer kills 90 Australians every week but the common detection procedure is one that takes lots of practice for doctors to master.

The CSIRO developed a computer based simulator using an adapted colonoscopy by using game technology, according to project leader Josh Passenger.

"In a simular way that a software development company produces a computer game, we have generated realistic environments that enable trainees to search for polyps and abnormalities inside virtual patients," he said.

"We are currently developing a system that can produce realistic, randomised colons so that surgeons can be prepared for a wide variety of colonic anatomies."

The simulator comes after three years of work from the CSRIO team based at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.

"Our clinical collaborators were telling us that there's a real need for a high fidelity training procedure to teach doctors how to do colonoscopies," Mr Passenger said.

"It takes upwards of 300 colonoscopies to reach an expert level."

Early colon cancer diagnosis has become a national health priority, CSIRO Preventative Health Flagship scientist Trevor Lockett said.

"Colonoscopy is a difficult procedure to master, and gastroenterologists require hundreds of supervised procedures to reach an expert level," De Lockett said.

"Better trained surgeons will reduce patient risk, improve detection rates and make screening more efficient."

Produced in collaboration with Swiss University Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, the virtual training tool will be manufactured by a Swedish company.

Bread crusts can protect against colon and bowel cancer, according to scientists in India. Baking releases a chemical which stops the development of pre-cancerous lesions in the colon. This anti-oxidant is eight times more prevalent in the crust than in the loaf.

Professor Graeme Young and his research team at Flinders University are working on incorporating selenium into the diet through cow's milk. Selenium is known to enhance the ways in which the body rejects cells that may develop into cancers, thus helping to prevent the disease.

While it doesn't help treat existing cancers, studies have already shown significant bowel cancer prevention effects in mice. Professor Young's work is delivering the selenium effectively to the cells of the bowel by incorporating it into cow's milk, which makes it highly absorbable and more effective as a cancer preventative.

It has been reported by the US National Cancer Institute that asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body's most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants. Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called histones, which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth.

It appears the preventative action of asparagus on cancer is very promising and it also is a general body tonic. Asparagus can be eaten in small doses each day in a puree form. 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and evening may help prevent some cancers.

From the 1st October - 4th October the Hi-Lite Pro-Am was played at the RACV Royal Pines Resort and The Glades. The tournament director, John Ryan, kindly chose Cancer & Bowel Research Trust to be the beneficiary of the auction held on the Saturday evening presentation dinner. This fundraising initiative raised over $14,000. We appreciate the generosity of all persons involved.

"... only a 2 minute walk to The Canberra Hospital"

Hopegood Place is located at 11/2 Hopegood Place Garran. This open plan apartment includes under floor heating, 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, laundry, living room, open kitchen, 2 undercover car parks and balcony overlooking peaceful parklands. It's also in close proximity to a vibrant local shopping centre and public transport and is ideal for those attending The Canberra Hospital.

The accommodation is fully self contained.

New studies are suggesting that we should cut down on processed meats. Numerous studies have shown that eating processed meat leads to an increased risk of bowel cancer, and the World Cancer Research Fund is now recommending that children should eat less than 70 grams per week. This equates to around two ham sandwiches, or three thin bacon rashers. Other processed meats such as salami are also on the list.

At this stage, the exact source of the increased risk is unknown, although may be related to the processing stage. While some say the studies are primarily based on European eating habits, which are different from Australian ones, it may still be wise to limit the amount of preserved, cured and salted meats as a preventative measure in all diets.

Cancer & Bowel Research Trust is supporting the "Get behind bowel cancer screening" movement which is making a voice to encourage people to sign up and let the governement know that more people should be screened in the National Bowel Screening Program.

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An increase in red meat consumption is contributing to the rise in bowel cancer in younger people, researchers say.

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A global study has found that lifestyle risk factors such as alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking are important risk factors for bowel cancer.

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ALMOST half a million people have been given faulty bowel cancer screening kits and more than 100,000 who have been cleared of the disease will have to take the test again in the latest debacle to plague the Federal Government's screening program.

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"Pindari on Wentworth is just a short walk to Centennial Park"

Pindari on Wentworth is located at 8/68 Wentworth St, Randwick. This apartment is new, modern, spacious and in a quality development set amongst lawns and gardens. It is only a short stroll to all the delights of Centennial Park. Features include two generous bedrooms, a well equiped kitchen, combined lounge/dining area, quality bathroom, internal laundry, balcony and secure off street parking. This residence is ideal for those attending the Sydney Children's Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospitals or the Royal Hospital for Women.

The accommodation is fully self contained.

Living Room

Dining Room

Kitchen

Bedroom

From July 1, Avastin, the drug used to treat advanced bowel cancer, will be subsidised for new patients under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) at a four-year cost to the Government of $310 million.

My name is Brenton and I was lucky enough to be given a donation from your organisation following being diagnosed with bowel cancer, having an operation and six months of chemotherapy. My fiancé I used the donated money towards a holiday to the Gold Coast where we visiting the theme parks (and had our photo taken with a tiger, see attached!) and had a relaxing time. It was a great way to move forward after what had been a very hard time. I am now feeling fit and am back at work as a diesel fitter in a gold mine.

We would like to thank the Cancer & Bowel Research Trust organisation for this donation of money, it was an excellent way to kick start the next stage of our life.

Brenton Seaman and Leanne Swain

"This ultra modern complex is situated within walking distance to a wide array of restaurants, cafes and south bank parklands"

Soho-Greenwich is located at 110/8 Cordelia St, South Brisbane. This open plan apartment includes air conditioning, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, laundry, living room, open kitchen and undercover parking. People staying in the apartment can enjoy the common areas which consist of a large swimming pool, spa and barbecue surrounded by landscaped gardens. This residence is ideal for those attending the Mater Hospital and Princess Alexander Hospital.

The accommodation is fully self contained.

Front View

Living room

Pool

BBQ

"...charming and airy with panoramic views of the river..."

Lights on Galleria is located at 67/15A Tribune St South Brisbane. This outstanding modern apartment has lots of natural light and includes 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, laundry, living room, dining room, open kitchen, and undercover parking. This residence is ideal for those attending the Matar Hospital and Princess Alexandria Hospital.

The accommodation is fully self contained.

River views

Living room

Balcony

Bedroom

The ongoing need for community education about the benefits of early detection and preventative measures.

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The report, published by the International Journal of Cancer, says that drinking two large glasses of wine or two pints a day increases the risk of this disease by around quarter compared with non-drinkers.

One glass of wine or a pint of beer a day raises the risk by 10 per cent.

"The research shows quite clearly that the more alcohol you drink the greater your risk of bowel cancer,'' said Professor Tim Key, an expert with Cancer Research UK told the Daily Telegraph.

The study was based on questioning of 478,000 people in 10 European countries over six years, of whom over 1800 developed bowel cancer, which is the third most common form of the disease after lung and breast cancer.

Each year 35,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer and it kills 16,100 a year, the British newspaper reported.

The findings will raise question marks for those following widespread scientific advice that regular but modest consumption of red wine can help protect against heart attacks.

"The increase in risk is not large but it is important that people understand they can reduce their risk of a number of different cancers - including bowel cancer - by cutting down on alcohol,'' said Prof Key..

Dr Kenneth Kinzler will tell an Australian cancer conference this week of his revolutionary findings, which will lead to personal, tailor-made methods of treating the disease.

Dr Kinzler, of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, has identified the genetic make-up of tumours, which he believes will help to stop the spread of cancer and save lives.

The three-day conference, starting on Friday, will also be told of a groundbreaking treatment for melanoma - the most deadly form of skin cancer - being tested in Australia.

Director of the Sydney Melanoma Unit, Prof John Thompson, said the treatment's aim was to stop the spread of melanoma to other parts of the body.

Australia has the highest rate of melanoma in the world, with 9500 cases diagnosed each year.

If left untreated, cancer cells spread rapidly to other parts of the body and form secondary cancers.

It can be treated most effectively in its early stages, when it is still confined to the outer layer of the skin.

Prof Thompson conducted a clinical trial on 20 patients who had secondary inoperable melanomas.

Individual tumours were injected with a red dye called rose bengal.

In about 80 per cent of cases, the tumours died, and within 14 days they simply dropped off the skin.

"In most cases it killed the tumour cells, but it had no serious effect on the surrounding tissue, which is the remarkable thing," Prof Thompson said.

This shows rose bengal could also be effective in treating tumours within the body, he said.

He emphasised this was not a cure for melanoma and worked only in a small number of melanoma patients.

"It's an interesting and exciting development, but its application at the moment is limited. Its potential, however, is quite large," Prof Thompson said.

Chair of the Sydney Cancer Conference, Prof Richard Christopherson, said this week's event was an exciting opportunity for scientists to collaborate with clinicians.

He said Prof Kinzler's research findings were a "major shock" to cancer doctors.

"It just shows that cancer is a very complex problem and in five to 10 years we will be sequencing a tailor-made, personalised cure."

BOWEL cancer patients will soon be able to get a test that predicts how well they will respond to the latest drug therapies following a genetic breakthrough involving Australian oncologists.

An international cancer trial has identified a type of gene that has become the first marker of bowel cancer, a disease that kills about 90 Australians every week.

Researchers discovered that those diagnosed with advanced disease who have the "normal" form of the gene - about two-thirds of sufferers - could benefit significantly from using one of the newest anti-cancer drugs, Erbitux, with standard chemotherapy.

The other third whose tumours contained the mutant form of the gene had no benefit from adding the new drug.

The find will allow a genetic test to show who could be helped from having the expensive therapy, which is not yet listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

"This is a big step forward in personalised medicine which is targeted to suit an individual person's disease," said Dr Niall Tebbutt, medical oncologist from the Austin Hospital in Melbourne and Australian investigator in the study.

"It's better for patients because they don't get treatments that don't work, and the Government will like it too because it makes this costly drug more cost effective."

Advanced bowel cancer cannot be cured with current treatments, but new targeted therapies entering the market are lengthening survival and improving quality of life.

Erbitux works by locking onto a specific growth protein in the tumour and switching off overactive chemical signals in cancer cells so they do not receive instructions to grow or spread.

The drug is available in Australia for use when other therapies have failed but it is not yet subsidised, keeping it out of reach for most.

Australian oncologists say that the test for the gene is available now but is of "limited benefit" until the drug is awarded a subsidy, the chances of which are boosted on the back of the new results, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago.

The trial, which involved 587 people, including patients at six Australian centres, found those with the normal form of the gene had a 32% lower risk of disease progression when they added the new biological drug to their treatment.

Four alcoholic drinks per day increases man's risk of developing bowel cancer by 64 per cent, a report by the Cancer Institute NSW says. For women, just two standard drinks per day increases their risk of developing breast cancer by up to 22 per cent. For both men and women, two standard drinks a day increases the risk of developing mouth cancer by 75 per cent.

A worldwide analysis of cancer studies suggests that there are no safe levels of alcohol consumption. Even drinking moderate amounts of alcohol daily can significantly increase the risks of developing certain cancer such as breast, bowel, throat and mouth cancer, a new study has found.

Institute chief Jim Bishop said the risk depended on the amount of alcohol consumed. "The risk is quite low at low levels of alcohol intake, but as the alcohol goes up on average per day the risk will increase" he said. Mr. Bishop said that although red wine was helpful for cardiac disease, there was no benefit of alcohol when it came to cancer.

He said the evidence now for cancer was that there was no known lower limit when it came to cancer. The report, Alcohol As A Cause Of Cancer, came about in a bid to explain the increasing levels of cancer in society.

Mr. Bishop said about a third of all cancers were preventable and cutting down on alcohol must be part of any cancer-prevention strategy.

Up to 2.5 million people will be issued with do-it-yourself bowel cancer tests under an extension of a screening program to be funded in the federal Budget. Health Minister Nicola Roxon yesterday said an $87.2 million investment would enable the bowel cancer screening program to be extended to 50-year-olds. Ms Roxon said the initiative is a crucial step in the fight against bowel cancer, which affects 13,000 Australians each year and kills 4000. The home-screening kits, which will be sent out to all 50, 55 and 60-year-olds, might save up to 2000 people a year. The tests will then be sent back to pathology labs, and results passed on through GPs. "We know that screening is successful. We know that this can save lives," Ms Roxon said.

A clear, direct link between obesity and colorectal cancer, the second most common form of cancer in Australia with more than 12,000 new cases each year, has been shown in a new analysis by The George Institute for International Health in Sydney, Australia.

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Scientists from Ohio State University have discovered that fruit and vegetables that are a dark red, blue or purple colour are extremely effective in the treatment of colon cancers. The pigments causing the deep colours are from a special class of antioxidants called anthocyanins that travel almost unhindered through the digestive tract. They then can either stop the growth, or in some cases kill, colon cancer cells. Healthy cells are unaffected.

The most effective anthocyanin comes from purple corn, chokeberries and bilberries, although the compounds are also found in foods such as aubergines, red cabbage and radishes.