August is Appendix Cancer Awareness Month

August 3, 2023

August is Appendix Cancer Awareness Month, and the NYCDCC Benefit Funds would like to provide our membership information about this rare form of cancer, as well as highlight the Welfare Fund’s partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering (through MSK Direct).

Appendix cancer (also referred to as appendiceal cancer) is a rare form of cancer, with 3,000 Americans a year being diagnosed. While there are no known causes, appendix cancer is more likely to develop in people over 50, and is more often diagnosed in women.

The appendix is part of the digestive system and is located on the lower right side of the abdomen. While many people with appendix cancer don’t exhibit symptoms, the most common symptoms include abdominal pain, pelvic pain, bloating, nausea, and appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix). Treatments vary depending on the case and individual, but often the appendix is removed, and the patient may undergo further treatment such as chemotherapy.

Please be reminded that the NYCDCC Welfare Fund has a partnership with MSK Direct to provide members and your families the highest-quality cancer programs and services, virtually or in-person, to help navigate your unique journey of screening and prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and life beyond cancer.

If you or a family member are impacted by cancer and would like to discuss treatment options at MSK, call the dedicated MSK Direct phone line for NYCDCC participants and dependents at (844) 386-3368 or visit www.mskcc.org/nycdcc.

Additional Resources:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22118-appendix-cancer 

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/appendix-cancer