Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most common cancer globally, claiming over 690,000 lives annually. Mortality rates in developed nations like Canada, Australia, the United States, and Europe exceed those in developing regions such as Africa and Asia.
CRC typically arises from genetic mutations affecting tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, and DNA repair mechanisms. Around 70% of cases develop sporadically from adenoma to carcinoma, while 5% are hereditary, including Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis. Lifestyle factors like sedentary habits, obesity, diets low in fiber and high in red meat, smoking, and alcohol abuse, along with environmental influences and gut dysbiosis, significantly contribute to CRC risk. Family history and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis further elevate susceptibility.
Key Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer
Ø High consumption of red meat and low fiber intake.
Ø Sedentary lifestyles.
Ø Unique dietary habits like pickled and dried foods, excessive chili consumption, and eating food at high temperatures.
Ø Westernisation of diet, with a shift from traditional foods rich in complex carbohydrates to simple carbohydrates, leading to increased obesity risk.
Ø Prevalent tobacco use in various forms, including cigarette smoking, hookah, and snuff.
Current treatment Early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) can be detected using methods like fecal occult blood tests, barium enema X-rays, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy (the gold standard). Biomarkers such as DNA, RNA, and proteins help identify mutations and classify tumor stages, aiding in predicting disease progression and therapy. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is also being used for CRC detection, including DNA sequencing via the ColoSeq™ assay, miRNA sequencing, and gut microbiota analysis.Treatment typically involves tumor resection, with chemotherapy regimens like FOLFIRI and FOLFOX, sometimes combined with other drugs, depending on the CRC stage and patient condition. However, about 50% of CRC patients experience recurrence, indicating current treatments’ limitations. High drug resistance, affordability, and availability issues, especially in developing regions, complicate CRC treatment, highlighting the need for improved and accessible therapies. Additionally, existing cytotoxic drugs are often linked to adverse effects. Phytochemicals As the phrase says, ‘Everything the plants have that you want,’ nature offers a vast array of bioactive compounds with remarkable health benefits. Phytochemicals, […]
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