Colorectal and hereditary non polyposis colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer represent over 9 percent of all cancers in men and about 10 percent of all cancers in women world-wide. In industrialized countries the incidence of colorectal cancer can be as high as 12 to 14 of all cancers, and in non-industrialized countries much lower rates of about 7 to 8 percent of all cancers diagnosed may be colorectal cancer.

Excluding skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third commonest cancer diagnosed in the United States. Each year over 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer and over 50 percent of these patients will die from colorectal cancer. Even though we do not know the exact cause of development of colorectal cancer, scientists have recognized several factors that can increase the risk of development of colorectal cancer. The simple presence of one or more risk factors does not necessarily mean that someone will develop colorectal cancer. On the other hand absence of all risk factors does not mean that an individual will not develop colorectal cancer, but generally more risk factors you have higher is the chance of developing colorectal cancer. Environmental factors also may be playing a role in the development of colorectal cancer. People who migrate from areas of low risk to areas of the world with higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, they tend to acquire the risk of the country to which they are migrating. This finding suggests the presence of environmental factors causing higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. Changes in dietary factors associated with migration may also be contributing to this increase in risk associated with migration from low risk areas to higher risk areas.

Risk factors for the development of colorectal cancer include the following: 

·          Age over 50 years

·          Increased fat intake

·          Large intestinal polyps

·          Family history of colon cancer

·          Inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

·          Personal history of other cancers

·          Sedentary habits and lack of exercise

·          Obesity

·          Diabetes

·          Smoking

·          Alcohol content

·         Genetic colon cancer syndromes like Familial adenomatous polyposis or Hereditary Non-polyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC)

Persons who have high risk of colorectal cancer may undergo screening for colorectal cancer with colonoscopy once every 2 to 3 years.

Summary: The Best Way to Prevent Colorectal Cancer

Most colorectal cancer is considered sporadic, meaning it occurs in people with no family history of the disease. In general, both men and women at average risk of colorectal cancer should begin screening tests at age 50.

Testing stool samples for genetic alterations that occur in colorectal cancer cells may help doctors find evidence of cancer or precancerous polyps. In some patients, genetic testing can guide screening and may be cost-effective. Approximately 25% of cases are attributed to two types of colorectal cancers: familial and hereditary. Familial colorectal cancer accounts for about 20% of cases and hereditary colorectal cancer accounts for the remaining five percent. You should discuss beginning earlier screening if you have a personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps, a strong family history of either, a personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome. The Genetic counseling and genetic are testing for families who may have a hereditary form of colon cancer, such as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).

Since most colon polyps and early cancers are silent (produce no symptoms), it is important to do screening and surveillance for colon cancer in patients without symptoms or signs of the polyps or cancers. Although there are good colorectal cancer screening tests, not enough people have them done. Cancer prevention is action taken to lower the chance of getting cancer. Some cancer prevention trials are conducted with healthy people who have not had cancer but who have an increased risk for cancer.

Prevention of colorectal cancer: Although the exact cause of colorectal cancer is not known, it is possible to prevent many colon cancers with the following: diet and exercise.