Supporting You Every Step of the Way
In addition to offering comprehensive and personalized care, we also act as your advocate and resource specialist by connecting you with services that provide you and your loved ones with information and support through your cancer journey. These include:
- Integrative therapies such as acupuncture, mindfulness meditation, and massage, as well as exercise and nutritional consultations through the Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies and Healthy Living.
- Sexual health counseling from a team of psychologists, gynecologists, urologists, and others who specialize in sexual health for men, women, and couples in the Sexual Health Program for Cancer Patients and Survivors.
- Fertility preservation options for both males and females through the Adult Fertility Preservation Program.
- Psychological support, counseling, and social work services through the Adult Psychosocial Oncology Program.
- Advice on how to talk with children about a cancer diagnosis through Family Connections.
- Peer support through Dana-Farber's One-to-One Program, connecting cancer patients with survivors and caregivers to share support and experiences.
- Patients are encouraged to participate in a wide array of support services offered at Dana-Farber.
Leading the Way in Research on Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer
Research is the centerpiece of the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center. Our Center is committed to understanding the growing incidence of colorectal cancer in young adults and developing new ways to prevent, detect, and treat it. We are bringing together scientists and researchers from different disciplines across the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center to understand the risk factors and biological mechanisms involved in young-onset colorectal cancer. We are examining every angle: diet, lifestyle, the immune system, the microbiome, targeted signaling pathways, mutations, and gene expression patterns, to name a few.
We want to partner with our patients to find answers to these complex research questions. There are many ways to get involved with a variety of studies. Participation is completely voluntary and will never affect the quality of your care.
Learn more about our Center's research studies for colorectal cancer in young adults.
What Is Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer patients are considered young-onset if they are diagnosed before they turn 50 years old. Since 1994, cases of young-onset colorectal cancer have increased by 51 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute. The rising incidence of young-onset colorectal cancer has recently led the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) to revise its colorectal cancer screening guidelines to start earlier at age 45 instead of 50, for individuals at average risk. In the United States, 11 percent of colon cancer diagnoses, and 18 percent of rectal cancer diagnoses, occur in individuals under the age of 50. By the year 2030, colon cancer incidence is expected to double, and rectal cancer incidence is expected to quadruple in this age group.
Learn about our comprehensive colon cancer diagnosis and treatment services at Dana-Farber.
Support the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center
Your support will help advance cutting-edge research and specialized care provided to patients under the age of 50 diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer. Your philanthropy can contribute towards:
- Supporting our groundbreaking research to understand why colorectal cancer rates are rising in young people, and developing new and innovative strategies for prevention, early detection, and treatment
- Recruiting and mentoring post-doctoral research fellows dedicated to the Center’s research studies
- Hiring dedicated staff for the Center to help patients and their caregivers navigate their care: a Social Worker to address the specific psychosocial needs of younger adults and their caregivers, a Program and Research Coordinator, and other clinical and support staff
- Developing new educational materials and programming, such as web and application-based support groups, and other educational opportunities aimed at connecting and empowering young patients
- Hosting the annual Beyond CRC Forum, a one-day educational conference for individuals with young-onset colorectal cancer and their supporters. In addition to hearing about the latest research and treatment advances, participants are invited to join small interactive sessions with experts on relevant topics such as nutrition and sexual health.
For more information about ways you can become involved with and support the Center, please contact Hillary Repucci at hillaryd_repucci@dfci.harvard.edu or 617-632-6481.
