In conjunction with Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the McLeod Cancer Research Department announces its participation in a national prevention study for patients who have recently been treated for colon cancer.

This National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsored study evaluates the cholesterol drug, Rosuvastatin (Crestor) as a treatment to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Rosuvastatin is a statin, a class of drugs that lower cholesterol.

The study, titled, "P-5: Statin Polyp Prevention Trial in Patients with Resected Colon Cancer," is being conducted by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), a network of cancer research professionals. More than 400 medical centers located throughout North America including McLeod Regional Medical Center are enrolling patients in this study.

The study was developed because laboratory research and studies conducted in large populations of patients taking a statin to reduce cholesterol suggest that taking the drug may, also, decrease the number of colon polyps. Colon polyps, if left untreated, can lead to colon cancer.

More than 300 patients have already entered the study that will eventually involve 1,740 patients, who have been treated for early stage colon cancer, and who were not already taking statins for high cholesterol. Patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Each group will take one pill a day for five years. One group will receive Rosuvastatin, while the other group will receive a placebo.

"There will be an estimated 102,480 new cases of colon cancer in the United States this year. In fact, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. We hope this trial will be an important step in reducing these numbers," said Dr. Norman Wolmark, NSABP’s Chairman.

Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cancer site diagnosed at McLeod each year.

Patients recently diagnosed or treated for Stage 0, I, II, or III colon cancer and who are interested in the study should contact the McLeod Research Department at (843) 77-6387 or 777-6388.

About McLeod Cancer Research
The McLeod Cancer Research Department has made national state-of-the-art cancer research trials for the prevention and treatment of cancer available to eligible patients in the northeastern region of South Carolina for more than 25 years.

McLeod’s participation in cancer research is supported through its association with the Southeast Cancer Control Consortium, a group of community hospitals in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee. McLeod also collaborates in research with national cancer alliances and research centers including:

• National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• Southwest Oncology Group
• Sun Coast Community Clinical Oncology Program
• Cancer Trials Support Unit
• The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (American College of Surgeons Oncology Group, Cancer and Leukemia Group B, and North Central Cancer Treatment Group)
• Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) who are currently forming a collaborative alliance
• Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University
• The University of Rochester Cancer Center
• Hollings Cancer Center Clinical Trials Network

Patients who participate in cancer research through McLeod have access to two certified clinical research professionals, Jo Capostosti, RN, BSN, CCRP, and Martha Adams, RN, MSN, OCN, CCRP, who offer guidance and support.