The Caring for Carcinoid Foundation Celebrates Worldwide Neuroendocrine Tumor Cancer Awareness Day with Launch of New Patient Resources

BOSTON, Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In honor of Worldwide Neuroendocrine Tumor Cancer Awareness Day, the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation is proud to launch a newly redesigned website with comprehensive information for patients, family members, friends, and caregivers (www.caringforcarcinoid.org).

The first annual Worldwide Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET) Cancer Awareness Day is November 10th (netcancerday.org).  People across the globe are gearing up to spread the word about neuroendocrine cancers such as carcinoid tumors and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.  

Neuroendocrine tumors are a unique and diverse group of cancers that can originate anywhere neuroendocrine cells exist such as the lungs, appendix, small intestine, rectum and pancreas.  Neuroendocrine tumors that arise in the pancreas are called "pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors" or "islet cell tumors."  When neuroendocrine tumors originate in other areas, they are most commonly classified as "carcinoid cancer." There are over 100,000 people diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors in the United States and for reasons not well understood, the incidence of these cancers is rising.

Despite the fact that neuroendocrine tumors are best treated when caught early, they are often not diagnosed until after they have spread to other parts of the body. Most patients report being misdiagnosed for long periods of time, and being treated for a different condition. Partly, this is due to the fact that these conditions are so widely unknown, to patients and physicians alike.

Nancy Lindholm, the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation's Founder, was similarly misdiagnosed, having experienced carcinoid cancer symptoms for years and been told that they were the result of stress. After collapsing, Nancy was taken to the E.R., only to be diagnosed with advanced and incurable metastatic carcinoid cancer. Disappointed by limited scientific understanding and the lack of effective treatments, Nancy founded the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation (CFCF).  Nancy founded CFCF for patients and their loved ones in order to fund, support and enable scientists and researchers to discover a cure for carcinoid and related neuroendocrine cancers.

CFCF is announcing the launch of its new patient resources in celebration of Worldwide NET Cancer Awareness Day. Through this newly redesigned website, CFCF communicates its positive message of hope, unity, and the need to work for a cure.  CFCF provides resources for newly diagnosed patients through survivor stories and a doctor database in addition to informative content including a video gallery, a clinical trials resource, and materials from neuroendocrine tumor patient education conferences.

Do you know the signs of a neuroendocrine tumor?  Visit CFCF's video gallery (www.caringforcarcinoid.org/videos) for a series of brief Q&A videos with Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.  CFCF's award-winning website serves as a beacon of hope proclaiming the stories of all those who are fighting neuroendocrine tumors. Visit CFCF's website www.caringforcarcinoid.org to read neuroendocrine tumor patients' survivor stories or submit your own story today!  

The number of cases for neuroendocrine tumors is on the rise.  CFCF will be working diligently on November 10th to increase awareness so that future patients will receive faster diagnosis, effective treatments and greater support.

Visit netcancerday.org for information about events taking place on November 10th, and www.caringforcarcinoid.org  to learn more about neuroendocrine tumors and how to join the fight to cure these cancers.

About the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation (CFCF)  

CFCF aggressively funds research in pursuit of a cure for carcinoid cancer and related neuroendocrine tumors. Along with its focus on research, CFCF is committed to supporting patients, families, friends, and caregivers by providing them with complete and up-to-date information.  To achieve rapid discovery of a cure, CFCF directs 100% of all individual donations to fund breakthrough scientific research of neuroendocrine tumors.  This is made possible by the generous support of its Board of Directors and corporate sponsors.   Since its inception in 2005, CFCF has awarded over six million dollars in research grants to leading scientists at renowned institutions worldwide.  For more information on CFCF's researchers' scientific work or supportive resources for patients, please visit CFCF's website: www.caringforcarcinoid.org or call 617-848-3977.

SOURCE Caring for Carcinoid Foundation