Living with an Ostomy
Regional News Stories: Thursday, September 24, 2009
As part of ideastream's special coverage this week of colon cancer, assistant producer Katie Baker talks with an Ostomy nurse about the work she does helping people with failed colons make this big adjustment. Be aware: the report does get graphic.

The Future of Colonoscopy
Regional News Stories: Thursday, September 24, 2009
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer among men AND women. When caught early, it's highly curable. The problem is it isn’t usually caught early. As a result it is one of the deadliest forms of cancer – one out of three people who get it will die of the disease. ideastream® health reporter Gretchen Cuda has more.

One Million Americans Live Without A Functioning Colon
Regional News Stories: Thursday, September 24, 2009
Each year about 150,000 Americans develop colon cancer and that's why ideastream is presenting a series of reports and programs on WCPN and WVIZ-PBS this week. It's part of our ongoing effort to provide health information that can save lives. If caught early, most colon cancer patients survive. Some, however, live with a long-term side-effect -- the necessity for a colostomy because of a failed colon. Tom Fuerst of Shaker Heights tells ideastream®'s Eric Wellman what it's like to live with bag attached to his abdomen that collects bodily waste.

Surviving Stage IV Colon Cancer
Regional News Stories: Friday, September 25, 2009
50,000 Americans die from colon cancer each year but tens of thousands also survive it. As part of this week's special coverage on WVIZ PBS and WCPN ideastream's Katie Baker has this audio postcard about one of those survivors. It's a woman from Stow, Ohio who like most colon cancer patients, got diagosed late.

Why Do Cancer Drugs Cost So Much?
The Sound of Ideas: Friday, September 25, 2009
Earlier this year a medical study suggested that a drug used to treat colon cancer was too expensive for the benefit it provided. It begs the question, “how much is too much” when it comes to a life? One drug, Erbitux, can cost up to $80,000 for a 16-week regimen and may only prolong life by a few months. Should insurance cover that? What should such decisions be based on? Join ideastream health and science reporter Gretchen Cuda to discuss the high cost of prolonging life -- Friday morning at 9 on 90.3.