
Community Engaged Colon Cancer Screening Patient Navigator Program
ColoRectal CancerThe goal of the project is to increase colorectal cancer screening within the priority population of female and male adults age 50 to 85 in Northern Nevada. A successful community-based cancer patient navigator program will be modified in partnership with the community into a multi-level screening intervention.

Evaluation of Pathway Modulation by Raf, MEK, & Kinase Inhibitors
Metastatic CancerMelanoma7 moreThis is a pilot study designed to evaluate the cutaneous effect of systemic inhibition of the tyrosine kinase pathway in the presence or absence of solar simulated light exposure. A maximum of 45 subjects will be accrued into the overall study we anticipate approximately 25 patients in the Raf inhibitor group and 10 patients each into the Tyrosine Kinase and MEK inhibitor arms of the study.

Single-incision Versus Conventional Laparoscopic Surgery for Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal CancerColonic Neoplasms5 moreThis study is designed to evaluate the short-term and long-term results after single incision laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer(SILSC) compared with conventional laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer(CLSC).

Exploring the Effects of a High Chlorophyll Dietary Intervention to Reduce Colon Cancer Risk in...
Colon Cancer PreventionColon cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women and over 70% of cases are preventable. A western diet, characterized by low vegetable and high red and processed meat intake, indisputably increases colon cancer risk. Heme, which gives red meat its color, is highly reactive, induces hyperproliferation and promotes DNA damage in the colon to a greater degree than any other red meat-associated carcinogen. Preclinical models indicate dietary chlorophyll, which gives green leafy vegetables their color, binds and stabilizes heme in the lumen, preventing genotoxicity. Additionally, data from our randomized controlled weight loss trial indicate increasing red meat consumption has deleterious effects on the gut microbiome, which is also implicated in colon cancer etiology. Because heme-containing foods are the richest sources of bioavailable iron and several other vitamins and minerals, mitigating their potential risks may be more beneficial than eliminating meat, poultry, fish and seafood in their entirety from the diet for risk reduction. This feasibility study will begin to explore the research question: Will adding chlorophyll-rich green leafy vegetables to the diet prevent the deleterious effects of heme-rich red meat on the human host and microbiome? The investigators will randomly assign 50 adults at increased risk of colorectal adenoma to a block randomized crossover study with two 4-week dietary regimens in which: 1) participants will be provided with frozen green leafy vegetables and counseled to consume a high chlorophyll diet including 1 cup per day of cooked green leafy vegetables and normal meat (high heme) consumption; or 2) continue their normal high heme, low chlorophyll diet (control). A 4-week washout period encouraging habitual diet will be employed between the intervention periods and data will be collected at all four time points. This study is critical in translating preclinical findings and has the potential to open the door to new knowledge and standards of care in colon cancer prevention. This study is a required step to aid in the design of a larger RCT to determine whether increased green leafy vegetable consumption mitigates the negative effects of red meat on DNA damage, inflammatory cytokines and gut microbe composition. This could lead to equally beneficial dietary guidance for colon health that might be more easily attained by the general public through addition, rather than omission of specific foods.

Community Dissemination of an Evidence-based Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening Intervention
Colon CancerRectal CancerFilipino Americans have lower rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, later stage of diagnosis and poorer survival relative to other racial/ethnic groups. To address this disparity, the investigators developed a multi-component intervention to increase CRC screening and have determined its efficacy in a randomized trial (Maxwell,et. al., 2010). This study aims to determine how an intervention to increase CRC screening can best be integrated within the cultural norms and existing structures of churches and community based organizations (CBOs) with predominantly Filipino American membership to ensure broad dissemination to those in need of screening. The investigators will provide our partner CBOs with resources and technical assistance, including training of community volunteers as health advisors, to enable them to promote CRC screening to their constituents. Using a scientifically rigorous research design, the investigators will compare two dissemination strategies: Basic dissemination which consists of a single kick-off event during which community health advisors will receive print materials and FOBT kits for distribution and training on how to conduct educational small-group sessions; and Organizational dissemination aimed at integrating CRC screening dissemination into organizational practices and processes that can be sustained after the end of the study. The study will be implemented in 20 CBOs and will train 100 community health advisors (CHAs). The impact of the two dissemination strategies will be comprehensively assessed by collecting data at the CBO level, from the CHAs and from 1000 Filipino American participants. The investigators will compare the proportion of Filipino American participants who obtain CRC screening by dissemination strategy, but the investigators will also assess how many are reached, if the intervention is implemented as planned, how CBOs support the screening efforts at their regular activities, and if CBOs and CHAs maintain their efforts over the 4 years of the study. The investigators hypothesize that CBOs can implement evidence-based strategies to promote CRC screening and CHAs in the organizational dissemination arm will reach more participants and more screened participants than CHAs in the basic dissemination arm; and organizations in the organizational dissemination arm will adopt more CRC screening activities and maintain these better than organizations in the basic dissemination arm.

Faith-based Approaches to Treating Hypertension and Colon Cancer Prevention
Blood PressureColorectal CancerPrimary Aim: To evaluate the effect of a lifestyle intervention delivered through telephone-based motivational interviewing (MINT) versus a patient navigation intervention on blood pressure reduction and CRC screening. Hypotheses: Among black men, aged > 50 years with uncontrolled HTN and in need of CRC screening: Hyp. 1: those randomized to the lifestyle intervention will have lower BP compared to those randomized to the patient navigation intervention at 6 months. Hyp. 2: those randomized to the patient navigation intervention will have higher CRC screening rates compared to those randomized to the lifestyle intervention at 6 months.

Reminding Patients of the Important of Colorectal Cancer Screening Results in Patient-Initiated...
Colon CancerColorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed and third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States for both men and women. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates about 108,070 new cases of colon cancer and 40,740 new cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed, and about 49,960 deaths will occur as a result of this devastating disease in 2008. Over the last 20 years, the death rate for this cancer has been dropping as a result of screening and early detection of cancer. In 2007, ACS reported that early-stage colorectal cancer had a survival rate close to 80%, and up to 9,632 deaths could be prevented each year if eligible patients received screening when necessary. However, despite the proven efficacy of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, only about 50% of eligible US patients are currently being screened. Specific Aims The central hypothesis of this proposal is that patient-initiated prompting of primary care physicians of the patient's interest in screening will increase referrals for CRC screening. The following three areas will be investigated during this research: To determine whether a communication tool provided to patients will initiate a conversation with their primary care physicians about CRC screening, especially via colonoscopy. To determine whether this tool will impact referral patterns for screening, especially, although not primarily, among poor and underserved populations. To determine whether differences exist in regard to patient-physician communication patterns about screening among residents and faculties in the fields of internal medicine and family practice clinics. At the close of the investigators study, the investigators wish to organize quantifiable data demonstrating how patient-initiated prompting of primary care physicians for CRC screening increases early detection and decreases potential mortality from colorectal cancer. This data will inform a second, larger study to pursue the questions surrounding patient-initiated prompting in

Erlotinib Hydrochloride in Treating Patients With Stage I-III Colorectal Cancer or Adenoma
Adenomatous PolypRecurrent Colon Cancer15 moreThis randomized phase II trial is studying how well erlotinib hydrochloride works in treating patients with stage I-III colorectal cancer or adenoma. Erlotinib hydrochloride may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth and by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Erlotinib hydrochloride may also stop tumors from growing or coming back

Celecoxib to Prevent Colorectal Cancer in Patients Who Have Undergone Surgery to Remove Polyps
Colon CancerRectal CancerChemoprevention therapy is the use of certain drugs to try to prevent the development of cancer. The use of celecoxib has been approved for use in reducing the number of adenomatous colorectal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). It is not known whether there is a clinical benefit from a reduction in the number of colorectal polyps in FAP patients. The use of celecoxib may be an effective way to prevent the development of sporadic adenomatous polyps, precursors of colorectal cancer. This randomized phase III trial is studying celecoxib to see how well it works compared to a placebo in preventing the development of adenomatous colorectal polyps in patients who have had at least one polyp removed.

The Safety and Feasibility of MONOFIX on Fascial Closure of Mid-line Wound After Minimally Invasive...
Colon CancerRectal Cancer2 moreThis clinical trial aims to evaluate the safety and feasibility of mid-line fascial suturing using MONOFIX sutures in patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery for colorectal cancer.