NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today Stand Up To Cancer® (SU2C) unveiled a collaborative initiative aimed at improving colorectal cancer screening, early detection and prevention across the United States. The transformative $10 million grant from Exact Sciences, a provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, will fund a colorectal cancer ‘Dream Team’ of researchers, as well as a comprehensive public awareness campaign to increase screenings.

The new Dream Team will be awarded in early 2021 and will identify communities near anchor institutions that serve minority and medically underserved communities, pinpoint the unique local needs of those areas and turn participating at-risk communities into “Stand Up To Cancer Zones” with high rates of colorectal cancer screening. The Dream Team will provide free colorectal cancer testing in the identified zones and will study samples collected via approved tests for colorectal cancer, including colonoscopy, CT colonography, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and at-home stool tests that analyze fecal DNA and/or blood. The research will aim to develop better approaches to colorectal cancer interception.

Fellowships for early-career investigators committed to studying health equity and disparities in colorectal cancer will also be funded. Public awareness campaigns will focus on medically underserved communities to increase awareness of the importance of colorectal cancer screening and early detection, and the availability of multiple effective screening options, such as traditional colonoscopy as well as options used at home.

“This funding allows us to bring together institutions, clinicians and communities to address the challenges we face in colorectal cancer screening,” said Nobel laureate Phillip A. Sharp, PhD, chair of Stand Up To Cancer’s Scientific Advisory Committee and an Institute professor at the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to make sure people are informed about both the benefits of colorectal cancer screening and their options.”

“We’re excited to work with Stand Up To Cancer on this bold new initiative,” said Kevin Conroy, chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences. “We want to change the way people think about colorectal cancer screening. This collaboration will move cutting-edge research and education efforts forward so we can help more people.”

This year, nearly 148,000 Americans will receive a new diagnosis of colon or rectal cancer.ⁱ Colorectal cancer is treatable in 90% of cases when detected early,ⁱⁱ yet 1 in 3 adults over age 50 are not up-to-date on recommended colorectal cancer screening.ⁱⁱⁱ The COVID-19 pandemic has further compounded the problem with screening rates dropping significantly due to stay-at-home orders. For example, the total number of colonoscopies and biopsies performed declined by nearly 90% by mid-April 2020 compared to April 2019.^iv Concurrently, new cases of colorectal cancer are occurring at a growing rate among young and middle-aged adults in the US, with the number of cases of colorectal cancer in people under 50 expected to almost double by 2030.^v The disease disproportionately impacts people of color; Black people have the highest rates of colorectal cancer of any racial or ethnic group in the US.^vi In October 2020, the US Preventive Services Task Force released a draft recommendation to lower the colorectal cancer screening age from 50 to 45,^vii but educating the public about the benefits of screening, as well as screening options, remains vital.

“We want people to understand that this disease is highly preventable and that a simple test can save lives,” said Sung Poblete, PhD, RN, CEO of Stand Up To Cancer. “When it comes to screening for colorectal cancer, the best test is the test that gets done. People will always benefit from simple and accessible healthcare options, and at-home preventive care is particularly vital to keeping people healthy during the pandemic. Together with Exact Sciences, we’re going to make this message mainstream and our hope is that other collaborators, such as healthcare providers, community leaders and advocacy groups, will join us in taking a stand against colorectal cancer.”

Research has shown that colorectal cancer screening rates are the lowest in Hispanic communities, with 59% of Hispanics getting screened, compared to 66% of Black people and 69% of white people getting screened.^viii Black and Hispanic people are typically diagnosed at a later stage in the disease when it is more difficult to treat. These disparities could be driven by financial barriers, lack of insurance, existing health inequities and insufficient information about colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer screening options.

SU2C, along with Exact Sciences, plans to engage with other collaborators to help reach the underserved communities, foster scientific research and guide public participation. The multi-pronged approach intends to ensure that colorectal cancer remains a disease that is treatable and survivable through widespread screening and early detection.

SU2C announced a Health Equity Initiative in January 2020. The initiative requires all future teams seeking Stand Up To Cancer funding to address recruitment and retention of patients from different ethnic and racial groups and underserved communities to improve diverse participation in cancer clinical trials. The initiative also includes collaborations with advocacy groups and industry and corporate supporters to move research and public awareness efforts forward. The new grant from Exact Sciences is the next critical step in SU2C’s movement to ensure cancer research, screening and treatment benefit everyone.

About Stand Up To Cancer
Stand Up To Cancer® (SU2C) raises funds to accelerate the pace of research to get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives now. SU2C, a division of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was established in 2008 by media and entertainment leaders who utilize these communities’ resources to engage the public in supporting a new, collaborative model of cancer research, to increase awareness about cancer prevention, and to highlight progress being made in the fight against the disease. As of August 2020, more than 1,950 scientists representing more than 210 institutions are involved in SU2C-funded research projects.

Under the direction of our Scientific Advisory Committee, led by Nobel laureate Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., SU2C operates rigorous competitive review processes to identify the best research proposals to recommend for funding, oversee grants administration, and ensure collaboration across research programs.

Current members of the SU2C Council of Founders and Advisors (CFA) include Katie Couric, Sherry Lansing, Kathleen Lobb, Lisa Paulsen, Rusty Robertson, Sue Schwartz, Pamela Oas Williams, and Ellen Ziffren. The late Laura Ziskin and the late Noreen Fraser are also co-founders. Sung Poblete, Ph.D., R.N., serves as SU2C’s CEO. For more information, visit StandUpToCancer.org.

About Exact Sciences Corp.
A provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, Exact Sciences pursues solutions providing the information to take life-changing action, earlier. Exact Sciences is investing in its product pipeline to take on some of the deadliest cancers and improve patient care. Exact Sciences unites collaborators to help advance the fight against cancer. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.exactsciences.com, follow Exact Sciences on Twitter @ExactSciences, or find Exact Sciences on Facebook.

ⁱ American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2020-2022.  Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2020.
ⁱⁱ Colon Cancer Coalition. Colorectal Cancer Screening Options.
https://coloncancercoalition.org/get-educated/get-screened/colon-cancer-screening-options/ 
Accessed December 10, 2020
ⁱⁱⁱ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Colorectal cancer screening rates remain low.  https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2013/p1105-colorectal-cancer-screening.html 
Accessed December 10, 2020
^iv London JW, et al. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer-related patient encounters. JCO Clin Cancer Inform. Published online July 27, 2020. doi: 10.1200.CCI.20.00068.
^v Bailey CE; et al. Increasing disparities in age-related incidence of colon and rectal cancer in the United States, 1975-2010. JAMA Surg. 2015;150(1):17-22.
^vi American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2020-2022.  Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2020.
^vii USPSTF. Draft Recommendation Statement Colorectal Cancer: Screening. October 27, 2020. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/draft-recommendation/colorectal-cancer-screening3.  Accessed December 5, 2020
^viii American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2020-2022.  Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2020.

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SOURCE Stand Up To Cancer; Unidos Contra El Cáncer

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit fighting for the health of all moms and babies, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) are partnering to raise awareness of the actions women can take to have a healthy pregnancy and baby, just in time for National Birth Defects Prevention Month in January 2021. As we face the COVID-19 pandemic, pregnant women must take special care of themselves as they prepare for their baby. The New Year is the perfect time to learn about the actions you can take to be healthy before and during pregnancy – because what’s best for you is best for baby.

Understanding birth defects and their causes is an important step in preparing for a healthy pregnancy. Each year, birth defects affect about 1 in every 33 babies born in the U.S., according to CDC. Mainly developing in the first three months of pregnancy as a baby’s organs form, birth defects present as structural changes at birth that can affect one or more parts of the body (e.g. heart, brain, foot). An individual’s genetics, behaviors, and social and environmental factors can impact risk for birth defects. Even though all births defects can’t be prevented, there are things women can do to help have a healthy baby.

Higher rates of birth defects vary across racial and ethnic groups. Compared to White babies, American Indian/Alaskan Native babies have higher occurrences of ear defects, cleft lip, Trisomy 18 (chromosome abnormality), Encephalocele (defect of the skull and brain) and limb deficiency; Black babies have higher rates of Encephalocele and Trisomy 18; and Hispanic babies have higher rates of Anencephaly (defect of the skull and brain), Encephalocele and Anotia/Microtia (defect of the ear).

“Protecting yourself and making healthy choices is more important now than ever for women trying to become pregnant in the New Year, particularly during this global pandemic,” said Dr. Rahul Gupta, Chief Medical and Health Officer, Senior Vice President, Interim Chief Scientific Officer at March of Dimes. “While current research does not show a direct link from COVID-19 to birth defects, we know that fevers in early pregnancy may be linked to birth defects and pregnant women may have a higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19. We still have a lot to learn about the virus and now is the time for women to take extra care of themselves as they plan for pregnancy.”

You can adopt behaviors to increase your chances of having a healthy, full-term pregnancy and baby. Here are six tips to follow:

1. Protect yourself from COVID-19. Stay safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a face mask and practicing social distancing. Remember to check for new guidance from the CDC to keep you and your family safe.
2. Be sure to take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. Folic acid is a B vitamin proven to help prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine. Before becoming pregnant and during pregnancy, take a multivitamin containing 400 mcg of folic acid every day to help prevent serious birth defects. Eat foods that contain folate (e.g. lentils, green leafy vegetables), as well as foods made from fortified grain products (e.g. bread, pasta) and those made from fortified corn masa flour (e.g. cornbread, corn tortillas).  
3. Get a pre-pregnancy checkup. See your health care provider to talk about managing your health conditions and creating a treatment plan before you are pregnant. Speak with them about all of the prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements you are taking, especially before you stop or start any medication. Creating a treatment plan for your health condition before you are pregnant can help keep you and your developing baby healthy.
4. Stay up-to-date on vaccines, including the flu shot. Speak with your health care provider about the vaccines you need during pregnancy to help protect yourself and your baby against serious diseases. Get the flu shot annually before or during pregnancy and get the whooping cough vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Also make sure everyone in your family is up-to-date on their vaccinations to help prevent the spread of diseases.
5. Before you get pregnant, try to reach a healthy weight. Talk to your health care provider about how to get to a healthy weight before getting pregnant, as being overweight or underweight can affect your fertility and increase the risk of having a baby with a birth defect and other complications. Maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes eating healthy foods and regular physical activity.
6. Avoid substances that are harmful during pregnancy.
1. Smoking substances such as tobacco during pregnancy can cause dangerous chemicals to damage the placenta and/or reach the baby’s bloodstream. Smoking cigarettes can cause certain birth defects, like cleft lip and palate. If you need help to quit smoking, talk to your health care provider or contact Smokefree.gov (1-800-QUIT-NOW)
2. Do not drink alcohol during pregnancy. If you are taking opioids, talk to your health care provider.
1. There is no known safe amount of alcohol to have during pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant. Alcohol can cause problems for a developing baby throughout pregnancy, so it’s important to stop drinking alcohol when you start trying to get pregnant.
2. Opioid use in pregnancy can cause serious problems for your baby, like preterm birth and drug withdrawal called neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Women should consult their physician before stopping or changing any prescribed medication.
3. If you or someone close to you needs help for a substance use disorder, talk to a healthcare provider or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

“In these challenging times, it is more important than ever to support each other, and empower women and their partners to make the best decisions for themselves and their families,” said Dr. Karen Remley, Director, CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. “CDC, March of Dimes, and our committed healthcare community invite you to connect with us in our efforts to reach those who are thinking of pregnancy in the New Year and offer accurate information on planning for a healthy pregnancy and the prevention of birth defects.” 

Join the conversation about National Birth Defects Prevention Month and have your questions answered during a Twitter Chat on January 26, 2021 from 2:00-3:00pm ET. Follow @MarchofDimes and @CDC_NCBDDD on Twitter and use hashtag #Best4YouBest4Baby. More information to share with your friends and family will be distributed online from January to World Birth Defects Day on March 3, 2021 by March of Dimes at marchofdimes.org/birthdefects or nacersano.org and by CDC at cdc.gov/birthdefects/preventionmonth.

About March of Dimes
March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we empower every mom and every family. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

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SOURCE March of Dimes