Colorectal Cancer Basics: Prevention, Screening, and Treatment

This guide covers the essentials of colorectal cancer, which is the third most common cancer globally, emphasizing that it is often preventable and highly treatable if caught early. Colorectal cancer is a cancer that begins in the large intestine (colon and rectum) when errors (mutations) in the genes cause cells to grow and divide out of control. Most cases (about 80%) are sporadic, while approximately 20% are inherited. The cancer typically begins as a benign growth called a polyp, and the slow progression from polyp to cancer (which takes several years) offers a critical "window of opportunity" for screening and prevention. Current recommendations suggest starting screening at age 45 for people at average risk. Treatment is personalized based on the cancer stage and genetic makeup, utilizing tools such as surgery (the cornerstone), chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.