In 2001, it is estimated that 135,400 people in the US will be diagnosed and 56,700 will die due to these diseases. Similarly, the death rate due to colorectal cancer has also declined over a similar period. Colorectal cancer is clearly a major health concern in the US, and advances in prevention, early detection, and treatment should lead to enhanced outcomes related to these diseases.
Colorectal cancer can present with a variety of symptoms.
Abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, and the presence of blood in the stool are common. A change in the size or color of the stool may also be an indication of a polyp or cancer. Prevention Many studies have suggested a link between diet and colon cancer. Recently, a report from the Harvard School of Public Health has provided strong epidemiological evidence that dietary fiber does not prevent colon cancer. Medications that inhibit cyclooxygenase, primarily COX-2, also may play a role in prevention of colon cancer.