| Theme | Preventive Medicine of Gastrointestinal Cancer | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Primary and Secondary Prevention of Colorectal Cancer | |
| Publish Date | 2006/06 | |
| Author | Kenta Motegi | Department of Gastroenterology, Gunma Prefectural Cancer Center |
| Author | Toshio Sawada | Department of Surgery, Gunma Prefectural Cancer Center |
| [ Summary ] | Recently, colorectal cancer has become one of the most common cancers in Japan as well as in the United States and European countries. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated the major role of diet in the etiology of colorectal cancer. In regard to the carcinogenesis of colorectal cancer, it has long been understood that a high-fat, low-fiber diet is causative, while a low-fat, high-fiber diet is protective. Chemoprevention is the use of natural or synthetic substances to reduce the risk of developing cancer, or to reduce the chance that cancer will recur. NSAIDs, such as celecoxib and sulindac, are being studied alone and in combination with other agents to determine if they are useful preventive agents for colorectal cancer. There is sufficient evidence to suggest that colorectal cancer screening is effective in reducing mortality from colorectal cancer. Only about 60 % of subjects whose screening tests are positive have diagnostic examinations when screening for colorectal cancer. It is important to improve compliance with diagnostic examinations. Although colorectal cancer becomes difficult to eradicate once it has invaded deeper tissues or has metastasized, most early-stage cancer can be cured completely. Colorectal cancer detected through screening examinations is often in the earlier stages and curable. |
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