Cancer of the large bowel with special reference to incidence and etiology

1. Cancer of the large bowel is second in cancer incidence to lung cancer in Kentucky and in the United States. It is second only to breast cancer in women. 2. It is far more common in the United States and countries with people in the higher socio-economic levels. 3. In addition to the well known associated or premalignant disease, diets high in fats and proteins are thought to increase the risk of the disease. 4. Much research is being carried on to determine other factors in the etiology of this condition. 5. The treatment of choice is still surgical removal of the lesion and all node-bearing and neighboring tissue, including the no-touch isolation technique with early ligation of the section of bowel to be removed. 6. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are of proven value in more advanced disease. 7. Carcinoembryonic antigen is of value in the prognosis of colorectal cancer.