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CURE’s colorectal cancer page is an extensive resource of cancer information featuring the latest colorectal cancer news, expert oncologist insights on the latest cancer treatments, oncology research, advocacy efforts, and medical data on colorectal cancer.

In 2009, Teri Griege was in the best shape of her life. In fact, the 48-year-old just completed an Ironman — a grueling race consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run. So, she was completely shocked when, two weeks after her race, she was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer.

Griege said that competing in triathlons was really a four-discipline sport: running, biking, swimming and — importantly — mindset. After receiving her diagnosis, she took that attitude into her cancer treatment, only now instead of participating in a run, bike and swim, it would be radiation, chemotherapy and surgery.

“Initially when I went into (cancer treatment), the radiation was one sport, the chemotherapy was a second sport and the surgery was a third sport. So you get through one and you move on to the next,” Griege said in an interview with CURE®. “Even within one, you still have to break that down… when you start a marathon, you don’t want to think about mile 26. You’re going to think about getting through mile number one… so I just went with the same kind of game plan (for cancer treatment) as I would for a competition.”

In this episode of the Cancer Horizons podcast, Greige shares her story, including how she became an “accident advocate” for patients with colorectal cancer — including her sister, who was diagnosed with the disease only two weeks after she was.

“I saved my sister’s life right out of the gate,” Griege said. “So I feel like advocacy has been my calling.”

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to 

Teri Griege completed an Ironman triathlon in 2009, and less than a month later received a stage 4 colorectal cancer diagnosis. In this episode of Cancer Horizons, she shared her story. 

The Sport of Cancer: How One Survivor Linked Ironman Training and Colorectal Cancer

 may be linked to the rising rates of colorectal cancer in young adults. However, much is still unknown about this growing trend.

For patients like Phuong Gallagher, who represents one of the many faces behind the statistics of early-onset colorectal cancer, so many questions remain unanswered. In this episode of the “Cancer Horizons” podcast, Gallagher shares her cancer story and explains how her experiences led her into the advocacy field, where she now works with The Colon Club.

“I got a lot of the ‘I feel sorry for you’ looks and treatment, because (other patients) were all much older and established in their lives,” Gallagher said during an interview with CURE®. “And they all felt like they had the chance to live their lives, but it's so unfair for somebody at 29 to get it. And that just didn't sit right with me. I'm not one for people to just feel sorry for me, it's more of ‘Let's go after this thing and fight it.’”

The Colon Club

In this episode of the “Cancer Horizons” podcast, a woman living with colorectal cancer who was diagnosed 14 years ago at age 29 discusses what it was like to be the youngest person in the treatment room, and how she found another community of young survivors.

‘Let’s Go After This Thing and Fight’ Urges a Long-Time Survivor of Early-Onset CRC

Every step of Yla Flores’s cancer journey left her in disbelief at the odds of her situation: she went from taking an at-home colon cancer screening test to getting surgery for stage 3 colon cancer in just a matter of weeks.

Meanwhile, the world around her was shutting down, with doctor’s offices closing their doors as a worldwide pandemic dominated the news coverage.

In this episode of the “Cancer Horizons” podcast, Flores tells the story of how she began her cancer journey alone in one of the most unexpected circumstances.

“It's a little like a Tom Cruise movie, like ‘Mission Impossible,’ you know, just sliding in and these doors are just slamming right behind me,” Flores said. “But I got in. I got it done. It's been an interesting journey.”

Fight Colorectal Cancer

On this episode of the “Cancer Horizons” podcast, a colorectal cancer survivor explains how she was the last patient to receive a colonoscopy leading to her stage 3 diagnosis as her doctor’s office shut down because of COVID-19 in March 2020.

The Last Patient: Cancer Survivor Recounts Diagnosis as COVID-19 Closed Clinicians’ Doors Worldwide

Jessica St. Clair and Dan O’Brien may look like a married couple that has it all, with two successful careers and a daughter, Bebe. But their story goes much deeper – both St. Clair and O’Brien are cancer survivors.

In this episode of the “Cancer Horizons” podcast, the couple describes being diagnosed with cancer consecutively; how being each other’s caregivers affected their relationship and parenting; and how they were able to pour their emotions into art forms after processing their trauma.

“I think when you’re young and you get cancer, it’s very isolating,” St. Clair said. “Because everyone is in your age group is having babies or redoing their kitchen, and you’re fighting for your life. It’s just very isolating.”

On this episode of the “Cancer Horizons” podcast, actress and comedian Jessica St. Clair and writer Dan O’Brien share their cancer stories and how they channeled their emotions through creativity.

In Sickness and in Health: When Both Partners Have Cancer

Colorectal cancers (CRCs) are the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. among men and women combined, but experts say that up to 60% of CRCs could be prevented with screening. To kick off Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month this March, this week’s episode of the “

 Talks Cancer” podcast features April Schack, a colorectal cancer survivor and ambassador for Fight Colorectal Cancer, or Fight CRC.

This month, the organization is launching a new awareness campaign, called “No Excuses,” in Times Square in New York City, to rally awareness for the disease and encourage individuals to get screened as soon as possible. Schack, who is serving as a 2021 Fight CRC Ambassador, spoke with 

 to discuss what it was like to be diagnosed with colon cancer at age 37, and how she found a community of fellow patients and other advocates with Fight CRC.

“I think people are scared to talk about it,” Schack said in an interview. “And so, it (the campaign) is showing us, you know, we're a group of people who've been through it, and it's not something you should be scared to talk about.”

“I've shared my story with family and friends, and I've gotten so many people who messaged me and said, ‘You know, I had these symptoms and I went and scheduled my colonoscopy because of you.’ And if I can do even just that little bit to get someone to get screened and save their lives, that's amazing.”

This week on the “CURE® Talks Cancer” podcast, to kick off Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we spoke with colon cancer survivor April Schack about what it was like to be diagnosed at age 36 and how she’s working with Fight CRC on a new campaign that aims to raise awareness about the disease, so that no one has to go through what she did. 

‘No Excuses’ When It Comes to Colorectal Cancer Awareness

At the age of 45, Dr. Angela Nicholas’s husband was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. Just five years later, he passed from the disease.

As an advocate, Nicholas works to raise awareness around earlier screening for the disease, as well as alternative options for screening.

For example, findings from a new colorectal cancer screening study found consistently high adherence (71%) with an at-home, stool-based, multi-target DNA test among Medicare beneficiaries, an above-average adherence rate compared to other screening tools.

 Talks Cancer” podcast, she shared her journey as her husband’s caregiver, as well as information on screening for colorectal cancer.

In this episode of the “CURE Talks Cancer” podcast, we spoke with Dr. Angela Nicholas about her journey as a caregiver to her husband, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at 45, and why earlier screening is so vital.
 

Screening for Colorectal Cancer

While most think colorectal cancer is a disease that occurs in older adults, it is in fact increasingly being diagnosed in young adults. In fact, 11% and 18% of colon and rectal cancer diagnoses, respectively, occur in those under 50.

While research has not yet identified why this increase is occurring, there is still a clear need to raise more awareness around the topic. In particular, educating young adults, as well as primary care physicians, on the rise in early-age onset colorectal cancer occurrence, is a way to start the conversation.

 offers a sneak-peek into its Speaking Out video series featuring the Colon Cancer Foundation (CCF). We spoke with Dr. Zsofia Stadler, a co-director of the CCF’s annual EAOCRC Summit, on the rising incidence of colorectal cancer occurring in adults younger than age 50.

“(A young adult facing a colorectal cancer diagnosis) is not alone,” Stadler said. “They are not alone as patients. They are not alone in the field that is trying to study this.”

Colon Cancer Foundation

In this episode of the “CURE Talks Cancer” podcast, we spoke with Dr. Zsofia Stadler, on behalf of the Colon Cancer Foundation, about the rising incidence of early-age onset colorectal cancer.
 

Speaking Out on Early-Age Onset Colorectal Cancer

’s life changed forever when her husband was diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer, and then just four years later, her sister with pancreatic cancer. Now, 20-plus years later, Couric is working with Merck’s Your Cancer Game Plan to offer her younger self advice.

A new program called “With Love, Me” features a series of heartfelt letters written by caregivers and cancer survivors to their newly diagnosed selves and other caregivers, touching upon what they wish they had known when they were diagnosed and/or first giving care.

Couric’s advice to herself? “You may feel alone, but you’re not alone.”

In this week’s episode, we spoke with legendary broadcast journalist Katie Couric about serving as a cancer caregiver and her new initiative with Merck’s Your Cancer Game Plan, called “With Love, Me.”

Katie Couric: Advice to My Younger Self

In the face of a cancer diagnosis and learning she was positive for Lynch Syndrome, wife and mother Heather Tolley-Bauer used comedy as an outlet to cope with her diagnosis and raises awareness for colon cancer.

Also the founder of Hyphen-Up, the “stay-at-home mom and a kick-ass cancer survivor” hopes to help others embrace who they are.

In this week’s episode, we spoke with wife, mother, comedian and colon cancer survivor Heather Tolley-Bauer about finding comedy as an outlet to her diagnosis.

Turning Cancer Into Comedy

While never easy, opening the line of communication with children about a parent or caregiver’s cancer diagnosis can help children understand the process, and instill trust and empowerment throughout this journey.

 Talks Cancer, we spoke with colorectal cancer survivor Danielle Ripley-Burgess and childhood development specialist Leslie Welch about how parents or caregivers facing a cancer diagnosis can have these tough conversations with children of any age — starting with a communication plan that entails the who, what, where, when, why and how.

In this episode of CURE Talks Cancer, we spoke with colorectal cancer survivor Danielle Ripley-Burgess and childhood development specialist Leslie Welch about how parents or caregivers facing a cancer diagnosis can have discussions with children of any age about cancer.

Talking to Kids About Cancer

Tecentriq and chemotherapy combination reduces the risk of death versus chemotherapy alone in deficient mismatch repair, stage 3 colorectal cancer.

Tecentriq Plus Chemo Reduced Risk of Death vs Chemo Alone in dMMR Colon Cancer 

Braftovi and Erbitux plus chemotherapy improved survival without progression over standard therapy in BRAF V600E-mutant mCRC in the first-line setting.

Braftovi and Erbitux Plus Chemo Improves Outcomes for BRAF V600E+ mCRC

Tumors shrank more with the addition of acoustic cluster therapy to chemotherapy in colorectal liver metastases in the phase 1 ACTIVATE trial.

Acoustic Cluster Therapy Shows Benefit in Colorectal Liver Metastases

As a Lynch syndrome previvor, I feel deep gratitude to witness my son’s graduation — a milestone my brother never lived to see with his own child.

Reflecting on my Son's Graduation as a Previvor

Dr. Cathy Eng discusses data that led to the FDA approval of Braftovi and Erbitux plus chemo for metastatic colorectal cancer with a BRAF V600E mutation.

Delving Into the Braftovi Plus Erbitux FDA Approval for BRAF+ mCRC 

Dr. Cathy Eng discusses the importance of the Braftovi plus Erbitux FDA approval for treatment-naive BRAF V600E+ metastatic colorectal cancer.

Dr. Eng Breaks Down Braftovi Plus Erbitux FDA Approval in BRAF+ mCRC 

In December 2024, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved treatment with the combination of Braftovi (encorafenib) and Erbitux (cetuximab) plus chemotherapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer with a BRAF V600E mutation.

 was supported by important data generated from the BREAKWATER trial which investigated the now-FDA-approved treatment in patients with treatment-naive BRAF V600E mutation-positive metastatic disease.

In an interview with CURE, Dr. Cathy Eng sat down to discuss the importance of the FDA approval, the BREAKWATER data and next steps for this treatment combination. Eng currently serves as the David H. Johnson Endowed Chair in Surgical and Medical Oncology; a professor of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology; and director for Strategic Relations, all at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, located in Nashville, Tennessee. It is here that she is also the co-Director of GI Oncology; co-leader of the GI Cancer Research Program; and director of the Young Adult Cancers Program.

Just to give you some perspective of our metastatic colorectal cancer patient population, the presence of the BRAF V600E mutation has historically been associated with a poor prognosis in our MSI-stable patient population.

Previously, the addition of Braftovi, a BRAF inhibitor, plus Erbitux, an anti-EGFR inhibitor, in the previously treated setting, had already received FDA approval. This was based on improved overall survival compared with standard chemotherapy in the second or third-line setting. That survival was about 9.3 months, leading to the FDA approval of the doublet of Braftovi and Erbitux to provide a more tailored approach to our BRAF-mutated patients.

Now, these patients tend to have very metastatic disease, and we obviously want to help them as much as possible because they can become very symptomatic if not treated early on. So, how can we improve upon that original FDA indication? That is the purpose of the BREAKWATER trial.

The purpose of the BREAKWATER trial is to take that doublet of Braftovi and Erbitux and look at it in combination with chemotherapy to see if it's actually better than chemotherapy alone. The original study design also included one arm with the doublet by itself, but that was eventually discontinued. The main portion of the trial really focuses on chemotherapy with the FOLFOX or FOLFIRI (fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin or irinotecan) backbone plus Braftovi and Erbitux. Is that better than standard chemotherapy?

You should be aware that a FOLFOXIRI arm was also added, and that trial has finished enrollment. We don't have those results yet. So, the purpose of the BREAKWATER FDA's new indication is the addition of chemotherapy in treatment-naive patients with a BRAF V600E mutation in their metastatic colorectal carcinoma, using oxaliplatin-based therapy (FOLFOX) or FOLFIRI plus Braftovi and Erbitux.

It showed an improved response rate, as well as, at the interim analysis, what looks like improved overall survival. So that is the new recent indication. The response rate was quite high, 60% versus 40%, so we are quite impressed with that. Once again, we are really trying to provide our best options for these patients who have a much more aggressive tumor type, which historically has resulted in poor overall survival.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

Dr. Yufei Liu discusses how updates to precision radiation therapy are reshaping colorectal cancer care.

Colorectal Cancer

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