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Saturday November 9, 2019             6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p,m.
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What is Neuroendocrine Cancer?

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is the umbrella term for a group of unusual, often slow- growing cancers, which arise from neuroendocrine cells found throughout the body. For years this group of cancers was identified as a specific disease called carcinoid. This term is being replaced in medical literature by the term NETs.

Here are things you may not know about this disease:

NEUROENDOCRINE CANCER IS DEADLY!

Carcinoid /NET cancers are known to affect over 175,000 patients in the United States.
12,000 people are diagnosed annually.
Initially, over 90% of all Carcinoid/ NET patients are incorrectly diagnosed and treated for the wrong disease.
Average time from initial onset of symptoms to proper diagnosis exceeds five years.
Many patients go untreated for years and have been told they have another disease. However, due to the generosity and selfless effort of many people, progress IS being made!

If the tumors are found early and you get proper treatment, you can live a long life. There are many 20 year survivors living in the USA. Failure to diagnose the disease and provide proper treatment, however, has the most serious consequence.

Why Contribute to NCAN?

To better reflect the community we serve, CCAN is now NCAN- a 501(c)(3) non-profit incorporated in 2004. Our Mission is to intensify awareness of Neuroendocrine Cancer including Carcinoid. NCAN provides information and support to NET patients / caregivers via e-mail, our web site, and toll free phone. The phone line, answered by a patient or caregiver at all times, is open 7 days a week 9 am – 9 pm EST, 365 days a year! We want you to know the person on the other end of the phone understands first-hand about the disease. We’ve also sent several thousand free information packets on request. We provide support groups with information, awareness items and financial support.

NCAN has produced nearly 60 conferences both national and regional around the country. These events have been beneficial for thousands of patients and their families. With these conferences, we keep patients up-to-date on information impacting the decisions made regarding their care, including new diagnostics and treatments available and upcoming. NET CARE a division of NCAN has started educating medical professionals now as well.

 NCAN has been a proud member of The North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society since 2006, providing funding and support. Maryann Wahmann had served on the NANETS advisory board since 2009 through 2016,  also served  on the advisory board of The Healing NET Foundation. Serve on The SPORE advisory council since 2012.

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What's with the Zebra?

Did you ever wonder where the Zebra mascot got started, or those stuffed zebras and zebra bracelets came from? They were designed by CCAN back in 2003. You can say we were "The Original ZEBRA". It describes NET patients well because no two zebra's stripes are the same and NO two NET Cancer patients are the same. The other reason is that in medical school students are taught when hearing hoof beats think horses not zebras. In other words, look for the common not the uncommon or rare. Since then over 450,000 bracelets have been distributed. We also distribute other awareness items such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, tote bags, rulers, lapel pins, x-mas ornaments and car magnets.

Together we can beat neuroendocrine cancer!