Colorectal Chemoprevention

With over 1 million cases diagnosed worldwide each year - incidence which seems to rise with the progressive westernization of lifestyles in Asian and African populations - colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women. Colorectal neoplasms and/or pre-neoplasms can be prevented by interfering with the various steps of oncogenesis, which begins with uncontrolled epithelial cell replication, continues with the formation of adenomas and eventually evolves into malignancy. The knowledge described herein will help to reduce and prevent this malignancy, which is one of the most frequent neoplasms in some developed countries. Genetics, experimental and epidemiologic studies suggest that colorectal cancer results from complex interactions between inherited susceptibility and environmental factors. Primary prevention involves the identification of genetic, biologic, and environmental factors that are etiologic or pathogenic in the development of cancer, and subsequent complete or significant interference with their effects on carcinogenesis.