The world's top anti-cancer pharmaceutical company, Roche Holding AG, posted the biggest gains Zurich trading since February after new studies on its tumor drug Avastin proved it would be able to hold its own against rival Erbitux.

Roche rose 4.5 percent to $180.0575, its biggest gain since Feb. 25

Researchers report that using cancer drug Avastin has helped to stop the spread of rectal cancer in 22-24 patients.

Prior to their surgery to remove their rectal tumors, the patients were given Avastin and chemotherapy. After three years, they were still alive and around 91 per cent shows no signs of spreading the disease

A new study suggests that folic acid supplementation given prenatally may protect babies from having colorectal cancer.

A team of researchers from University of Toronto studied female rats, grouped them on control diet and folic acid supplementation diet prior to breeding for three weeks and continued until pregnancy and lactation

Obesity may prevent some women from getting routine cancer screenings, according to a new University of North Carolina -Chapel Hill study.

The review was based on 32 U.S. studies on breast cancer, colorectal cancer and cervical cancer screening tests. It was found that obese white women were less likely than leaner women to get the recommended screenings for breast and cervical cancer. The trend, though, was not as consistent among black women

U.S. health officials reported that in 2006, older American getting colon cancer tests move up to 61 percent from 57 percent in 2004.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that although the increase is encouraging, disparities persist in colorectal cancer test use. The rates stay lower for minorities than for whites