Resources
Below is a compilation of resources and information that you may find useful.
Resources
The CCPN developed the 9 short animation videos on this page. The engaging videos provide education on colorectal cancer.
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American Cancer Society
cancer.org (Español)
(800)227-2345
A cancer diagnosis can be scary and overwhelming. Whether you need emotional support, the latest cancer information, a ride to chemo, or a place to stay when treatment is far away, the American Cancer Society is there to help – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
American Life Fund
www.americanlifefund.com/american-life-fund-cancer-grant/
Every month, American Life Fund awards a patient in active treatment a grant for $250 to use toward living and or treatment costs.
CancerCare
www.cancercare.org (Español)
(800)813-4673
Limited financial assistance for cancer-related costs such as transportation, childcare, oncology.
Colonoscopy Assist
colonoscopyassist.com
Nationwide Scheduling Phone: 1-855-542-6566
ColonoscopyAssist is a program that promotes affordable colon cancer screening and is available as a free resource to the public. With a national network of providers ready to help, ColonoscopyAssist brings affordable screening options to more than 30 states. The following services are provided at affordable pre-negotiated rates: Colonoscopy (screening or diagnostic), Upper Endoscopy, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, Virtual Colonoscopy, Cologuard, FIT.
Colorectal Cancer Alliance
ccalliance.org
Helpline: (877)422-2030
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance provides resources specific to your needs and will guide you to the most helpful information. The mission of the colorectal cancer alliance is to empower a nation of allies who work to provide support for patients and families, caregivers, and survivors; to raise awareness of preventive measures; and inspire efforts to fund critical research.
Fight Colorectal Cancer
Fightcolorectalcancer.org
Toll-Free Resource Line: (877)427-2111
We FIGHT to cure colorectal cancer and serve as relentless champions of hope for all affected by this disease through informed patient support, impactful policy change, and break through research endeavors.
National LGBT+ Cancer Network
https://colorectalcancer.cancer-network.org
Toll-Free Resource Line: (212)675-2633
This page was created specifically to answer the LGBTQIA+ communities' most asked questions about colorectal cancer. No matter where you are on your cancer journey we’ve got tools to help.
Good Days
mygooddays.org
(877)968-7233
Good Days supports those with life-altering conditions, from chronic to terminal, in part by helping patients pay for costly treatments insurance won’t cover in their entirety. But we do more than simply provide financial support. We guide patients through an opaque and ever-changing healthcare landscape, always listening, always responding, always caring.
Patient Advocate Foundation
www.patientadvocate.org
(800)675-8416
Patient Advocate Foundation may help — with copays, premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses for supplies, supplements, surgeries and more.
PAN Foundation
panfoundation.org
(866)316-7263
High deductibles and copays shouldn't keep people with life-threatening, chronic and rare diseases from getting the treatment they need. PAN uses the donations of caring individuals and corporations to offer the fastest, most dependable way for patients to pay their out-of-pocket costs. Because when the unexpected happens, all you should have to focus on is getting better.
Patient Advocate Foundation - Financial Aid Fund Division
www.patientadvocate.org/financialaid
(855)824-7941
Provides small grants to patients who meet financial and medical criteria. Grants are provided on first-come first served basis and are distributed until funds are depleted. Qualifications and processes for each fund may differ based on fund requirements. Patients who are interested in applying for financial assistance should start by calling this division toll free at (855) 824-7941 or by registering your account and submitting an application online.
Prevent Cancer Foundation
Preventcancer.org
The mission of the Prevent Cancer Foundation is saving lives across all populations through cancer prevention and early detection. Our vision is to Stop Cancer Before It Starts! The Prevent Cancer Foundation advocates and supports the prevention and early detection of cancer through research, education, outreach and advocacy.
Stand up to Cancer (SU2C)
Standuptocancer.org
SU2C brings together the best and the brightest researchers and mandates collaboration among the cancer community. By galvanizing the entertainment industry, SU2C has set out to generate awareness, educate the public on cancer prevention, and help more people diagnosed with cancer become long-term survivors.
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College Consultants Care
collegeconsultantscare.org
Provides free college admissions assistance for high school students recently diagnosed with cancer or who have a parent with cancer. Independent educational consultants objectively guide students and help them meet application deadlines, plan for college visits, create a standardized testing plan, develop college application strategies, consider possible majors and search for financial aid/scholarships.
HOPE for Young Adults with Cancer
www.hope4yawc.org
HOPE for Young Adults with Cancer provides direct financial support to young adults 18-40 facing cancer.
Meredith’s Miracles
merediths-miracles.org
Meredith’s Miracles is dedicated to providing financial assistance to young adults who are currently fighting colorectal cancer.
Patient Advocate Foundation
www.patientadvocate.org (Español)
Academic scholarships for survivors. The purpose of the scholarship program is to provide support to individuals that are legal residents of the United States of America, under the age of 25, who have been diagnosed with or treated for cancer, a chronic, or life threatening debilitating disease within the past five years.
The Samfund
www.thesamfund.org
The Samfund provides support to young adults who are struggling financially because of cancer. Through direct financial assistance and free online support and education, they help young adults survive and move forward with their lives after cancer.
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
www.ulmanfund.org
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults is committed to helping young adults (ages 15-39) continue their education after being affected by cancer through their own diagnosis or the diagnosis of a loved one.
National organizations that provide information and support to young adults with cancer:
Cancer and Careers (https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en0 / (Español) – support for people with cancer to thrive in their workplace
Children’s Oncology Group (www.survivorshipguidelines.org) – Long-term follow-up guidelines for survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancers (En Español)
LIVESTRONG Fertility (www.livestrong.org/we-can-help/livestrong-fertility) – becoming a parent after cancer
Teen Cancer America (teencanceramerica.org) – support for young adults with cancer
The Oncofertility Consortium (www.savemyfertility.org) – fertility preservation toolkit
Young Survival Coalition (www.youngsurvival.org) – support for young adults facing breast cancer
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Website References and Information
Be aware of the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer.
The American Cancer Society provides more information on colorectal cancer signs and symptoms.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention helps answer What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?
You and Colon Cancer, an animated patient’s guide to understanding colon cancer. This educational activity has been developed by Colon Cancer Coalition and Mechanisms in Medicine Inc.
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Learn how your family’s medical and cancer history is important to your health.
The National Institutes of Health provides more information on familial adenomatous polyposis.
Access more information on hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) often called Lynch Syndrome from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Learn why family health history is important, and how sharing this information with your doctor may determine if you’re at higher risk by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hereditary colorectal cancer page.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides additional information about family health history and cancer.
Create your family history with My Family Health Portrait, a tool from the Surgeon General.
Visit the American Cancer Society for information on Genetic Testing, Screening, and Prevention for People with a Strong Family History of Colorectal Cancer.
"Let my heartbreak be your wake-up-call."
Golden Globe and Academy Award-nominated actor and musician Terrance Howard urges Americans to be screened for colorectal cancer. Mr. Howard has a personal connection to the disease. Watch this short video as he shares his moving story about losing his mother to colon cancer.
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Know your risk for colorectal cancer.
Learn more about risk factors for colorectal cancer from the American Cancer Society.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention answers the question, What are the risk factors for colorectal cancer?
Review the published article Colorectal Cancer Incidence Patterns in the United States, 1974-2013 for more information on the increase in incidence rates among young adults for colorectal cancer.
Take a brief colorectal cancer risk assessment from the CCPN.
Genetic conditions can put you at a higher risk for colorectal cancer.
Certain inflammatory bowel diseases may also increase a person’s risk for developing colorectal cancer. Learn more from the Crohns Colitis Foundation.
You and IBD, a patient’s guide to IBD. This educational activity has been developed by Imedex, LLC and Mechanisms in Medicine, Inc. and is an educational collaborative with the American College of Gastroenterology.
Is IBS the same as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?
Gastroenterologist Dr. Jeanetta Frye explains that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not the same condition as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes several types of disease such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC). IBD can cause scarring and permanent damage to the bowel, while IBS does not cause long-term damage. This educational activity has been developed by the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders and Mechanisms in Medicine, Inc.
The National Institutes of Health provides a guide to understanding genetic conditions such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) , which is an inherited condition associated with cancer of the large intestine (colon) and rectum.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information about Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC), also known as Lynch syndrome, which is the most common cause of hereditary colorectal cancer.
Find information from the American Cancer Society on Genetic Testing, Screening, and Prevention for People with a Strong Family History of Colorectal Cancer.
Genetic counselors are professionals, who have specialized education in inherited diseases. They provide personalized help you need as you make decisions about your genetic health. The National Society of Genetic Counselors can help locate a genetic counselor to provide personalized care for your genetic health.
Alcohol and tobacco impacts cancer risk.
For more information about the impact that alcohol has on cancer, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Learn about cancers linked to alcohol use from the American Cancer Society.
Understand the health risks of smoking tobacco from the American Cancer Society.
Take the American Cancer Society’s Smoking Habits Quiz for a profile of your nicotine dependence and some ideas about how to tame your cravings as you become a non-smoker.
The South Carolina Tobacco Quitline can help tobacco users quit, at no cost, through support which includes individual counseling, information on how to quit, and referrals to self-help materials and cessation medications. Enroll online or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Habla Española.
Want to quit smoking? Download the FREE quitSTART App from Google Play or the Apple Store. quitSTART uses information about your smoking history and gives tailored tips, inspiration, and challenges to help you become smoke free and live a healthier life.
Start your quitting journey today! Find information on how to quit smoking from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Español)
For tools and tips on how to quit smoking visit smokefree.gov (smokefree español)
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Keeping a healthy weight can reduce your risk of cancer. Learn how from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weblink!
Access tools to learn Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight.
Learn how Physical Activity for a Healthy Weight is important for good health from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute weblink.
Keep Moving!
Review the recommendations for physical activity from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Read more on the Effect of exercise on colorectal cancer prevention and treatment. This article was published by the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology in 2019.
Move Your Way provides tools, videos, and tips for being physically active. Check out the Activity Planner provided by the Department of Health and Human Services and Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (Español)
Are you living smart? Take the Nutrition and Activity Quiz to find out how to incorporate nutrition and physical activity into your daily life. Provided by the American Cancer Society.
Visit South Carolina State Parks to find local parks, recreation facilities, and trails close to home.
Eat the Good Stuff!
Read about diet and activity factors that affect risks for certain cancers from the American Cancer Society.
The 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines is designed to help Americans eat a healthier diet. Check it out!
The USDA Choose MyPlate has FREE tools to help keep track of the foods you eat and help keep you accountable. Use the Start Simple with MyPlate App to pick simple daily food goals, see real-time progress, and earn badges along the way! This easy-to-use app can help you make positive changes in your life.
Visit the South Carolina Department of Agriculture to find certified roadside markets, community supported agriculture, state farmers’ markets, community-based farmers’ markets, and more local agriculture resources.
Learn more about diet and activity factors that affect risks for certain cancers from the American Cancer Society.
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Screening options for colorectal cancer.
Review colorectal cancer screening recommendations from the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF).
Resources from the American Cancer Society guidelines for colorectal cancer screening. (Español)
Review the characteristics of colorectal cancer screening strategies from the United States Preventative Services Task Force . You can learn more about the evidence on the effectiveness of each screening test, as well as the strengths, limitations and unique considerations for the various screening tests.
See which screenings you need to stay healthy. MyHealthfinder (Español)
Preparing for your colonoscopy:
“All jokes aside” featuring Steve Harvey. Watch Steve Harvey as he undergoes his first colonoscopy.
You and Colonoscopy, an animated patient’s guide to understanding colonoscopy developed by Mechanisms in Medicine, Inc. This activity is endorsed by the Colon Cancer Coalition.
CCPN Clear Liquid Diet handout (English)
Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
What should I know about screening?
Colorectal Cancer screening tests
Questions to ask your doctor about colorectal cancer.
American Cancer Society patient information
Get tested for Colorectal Cancer booklet
Screening guidelines and healthy living recommendations. (disponible en español)
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A view of colorectal cancer through statistics and data.
Review the latest full report: The American Cancer Society Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2020-2022 and Special Section: Cancer in Adolescents and Young Adults
For more statistics on colorectal cancer, visit Cancer Facts and Statistics from the American Cancer Society.
The National Colorectal Roundtable (NCCRT) shares data and progress as the NCCRT is tracking all major measures to assess our progress in reaching the goal of 80% of adults ages 50 or older screened for colorectal cancer.
Read more: Cancer in South Carolina 20-Year treads for incidence, mortality, and survival published by the South Carolina Central Cancer Registry.
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Regional Cancer Profiles:
For more information on colorectal cancer in South Carolina review the CRC fact sheet from the South Carolina Cancer Alliance.