The Impact of Colorectal Cancer

Brazilian soccer legend Pelé and Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman lost their battles with colon cancer in recent years. Their deaths serve as a stark reminder that colon cancer does not discriminate by age and affects people of all backgrounds. Despite being one of the most preventable cancers through early screening, colon cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and worldwide. This March, during National Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Awareness Month, we must amplify the conversation about screening, early detection, and health equity to help save lives.

 
Understanding the Global Burden

The American Cancer Society estimates that 154,270 new CRC cases will be diagnosed in 2025, leading to 52,900 deaths. Globally, 1.85 million cases and 850,000 deaths were recorded in 2021. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), CRC rates vary by region due to differences in risk factors. Asia has the highest incidence at 52.3%, followed by Europe (26.9%), North America (9.3%), Latin America and the Caribbean (7%), and Africa (3.4%). Similarly, most colorectal cancer deaths occur in Asia (54.2%), with Europe (26.2%), Latin America and the Caribbean (7.4%), North America (6.8%), and Africa (4.8%) following behind. IARC projects that these numbers will increase by 73% by 2040. Given these statistics, colorectal cancer is a growing public health concern.

 
Who Is Most at Risk?

CRC is a type of cancer that develops in the large intestine, including the rectum. It progresses slowly through multiple stages: initiation, promotion, and progression. In the initiation stage, genetic damage—either random or hereditary—causes normal cells in the large intestine to form lesions, known as polyps, which have the potential to become tumors. If polyps are not detected early through preventive care, such as a colonoscopy, they can acquire cancerous properties and develop into tumors. This process typically takes 10 to 15 years but may progress more rapidly in certain cases, such as in patients with Lynch syndrome.

Image adapted from Hossain et al., 2022

 
Recognizing the Signs

Several factors can increase an individual's risk of developing CRC. A personal or family history of cancer, colon polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, or cholecystectomy may elevate the likelihood of developing CRC. Additionally, lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and an unhealthy diet can contribute to increased risk. Researchers have also identified age, gender, race, socioeconomic background, and the makeup of one’s gut microbiome as potential risk factors. Recognizing the warning signs of CRC is crucial, as early detection can save lives. Symptoms that may indicate CRC and warrant further testing include rectal bleeding, an abdominal mass, stomach pain, changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, and iron-deficiency anemia.

 
The Role of Early Detection

When CRC is detected early, before symptoms appear, patients experience significantly better clinical outcomes. Early diagnosis is a crucial factor in improving patient survival rates. The American Cancer Society recommends that individuals at average risk begin regular CRC screening at age 45 and continue through age 75. Average-risk individuals include those with a personal or family history of CRC, polyps, ulcerative colitis, or those who have received radiation treatment to the abdomen or pelvis for a prior cancer.

 
Treatment Options

The standard treatments for CRC include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of these options. In cases where cancer has advanced and spread to other parts of the body, clinicians employ a multimodal approach that identifies the best possible combination of treatments tailored to each patient’s profile. These approaches, along with the standard treatments mentioned earlier, include targeted molecular therapies, gene therapy, immunotherapy, adoptive T-cell therapy, complement inhibition, cytokine therapy, natural products, and palliative care chemotherapy.

 
What You Can Do to Promote Cancer Equity

Binaytara focuses on improving cancer care access by promoting early detection and prevention. Knowing the steps you can take to lower your risk of colorectal cancer is important. Research shows that reducing cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption lowers the risk of CRC. Studies also show that regular exercise, aspirin use, hormone replacement therapy, and a diet rich in milk and whole grains are linked to a lower risk of CRC.

 
Binaytara’s Efforts in Cancer Research and Education

As Dr. Shah, an oncologist and co-founder of Binaytara explained, “Colon cancer is one of the few cancers that can be effectively screened, with strong scientific evidence showing that screening saves lives. If you are 45 or older, getting a colonoscopy is crucial. Right now at Binaytara Cancer Center in Nepal, we provide chemotherapy and surgeries for colon cancer patients. We are also working on establishing endoscopy services, which will allow us to offer colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy to screen for colon cancer in the right patients.”

The cancer center also regularly holds tumor board meetings, where oncologists review the management of colon cancer patients. The discussion covers various aspects of treatment optimization, quality assurance, and quality improvement to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

 
OncoBlast and Continuing Education for Oncology Professionals

Annually, Binaytara hosts over 50 in-person continuing education (CE) conferences around the US for hematology/oncology healthcare professionals, and has developed OncoBlast, a game-based CE resource for these HCPs. Many of these conferences address the latest advancements in colorectal cancer treatment, and we also offer a Gastrointestinal Cancer course on OncoBlast.

 
Join the Fight Against Cancer Disparities

One in 24 people will be diagnosed with CRC in their lifetime —that’s one too many. During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, join us in raising awareness about this disease. Dress in blue, educate your network about CRC prevention, organize an event to raise funds and awareness, or donate to organizations advocating for CRC prevention and research. The more we talk about CRC, the more we can highlight its importance and inspire individuals and communities to take action before cancer develops.

The lack of access to care and limited knowledge about the disease are challenges we must overcome in the fight to cure colorectal cancer. This March, get screened, get educated, and take charge of your health. Talk to your doctor, know your risk, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. A simple screening could save a life—maybe even yours.

The content provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Consult a medical professional for diagnoses, treatment, or medical advice.

 
Works Discussed

1. Sawicki, T., Ruszkowska, M., Danielewicz, A., Niedźwiedzka, E., Arłukowicz, T., & Przybyłowicz, K. E. (2021). A Review of Colorectal Cancer in Terms of Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Development, Symptoms and Diagnosis. Cancers, 13(9), 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13092025
2. Alzahrani, S.M., Al Doghaither, H.A., & Al‑Ghafari, A.B. (2021). General insight into cancer: An overview of colorectal cancer (Review). Molecular and Clinical Oncology, 15, 271. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2021.2433
3. Hossain, M. S., Karuniawati, H., Jairoun, A. A., Urbi, Z., Ooi, D. J., John, A., Lim, Y. C., Kibria, K. M. K., Mohiuddin, A. K. M., Ming, L. C., Goh, K. W., & Hadi, M. A. (2022). Colorectal Cancer: A Review of Carcinogenesis, Global Epidemiology, Current Challenges, Risk Factors, Preventive and Treatment Strategies. Cancers, 14(7), 1732. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14071732