As nations develop economically and adopt more Western diet and lifestyle, colorectal cancer increases.  In fact, the United States is the only nation in the world where colorectal cancer incidence rates are falling for both men and women.

Over the past 20 years, colorectal cancer rates have risen in 27 of 51 countries including Eastern Europe, most of Asia, and some South American countries.  Rates for men are rising faster than those for women. Read the rest of this entry »

Although the numbers of new colon and rectal cancers have been steadily declining in people over 50, the rate of newly diagnosed cancer is increasing in young adults from 20 to 49  in the United States.

The increase is primarily driven by rectal cancer in non-Hispanic whites where there was an average annual increase of 3.5 percent in men and 2.9 percent in women from 1992 through 2005.  Overall, incidence of colorectal cancer in young adults rose during that time 1.5 percent in men and 1.6 percent in women each year, almost all of the new cancers diagnosed in the left colon (distal colon) or rectum. Read the rest of this entry »

Several studies presented during the 2008 Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research meeting sponsored by the American Association for Cancer Research found black raspberries had a positive impact on colorectal cancer development.

Freeze-dried berries reduced the inflammation that contributes to colorectal cancer in both humans and mice, the number of tumors in mice, and new rectal polyps in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.  After treatment with berries, levels of proteins that control inflammation were reduced in patients with colorectal cancer. Read the rest of this entry »

President Elect Obama has plenty of challenges ahead of him. Issues ranging from the economy, energy, the environment, and of course healthcare will be at the top of his policy agenda. He has also pledged to reinvigorate the war against cancer. To accomplish this he has promised to double federal funding for cancer research and ensure all Americans have access to preventative healthcare screenings; including those that will detect, and possibly prevent, colorectal cancer.

Take this opportunity to email him directly and hold him to his word. President Elect Obama, make colorectal cancer screening and treatment a national priority! Click here to Take Action

Both the level of vitamin D in the blood and intake of vitamin D-rich foods decrease the risk of colorectal polyps in a number of studies.

Analyzing published studies of blood levels of vitamin D, researchers found a 30 percent decrease in the risk of adenomas among people with the most circulating vitamin D compared to those with the least.  The highest vitamin D intake decreased adenomatous polyp risk by 11 percent. Read the rest of this entry »