Colorectal Cancer and Preventing It

There has been a trend in the media lately about the importance of “gut health,” taking probiotics, eating fermented foods, and giving forehead kisses to your cat. They talk about ensuring everyone has a bowel movement but never discuss what our bowels go through, which is the colon! Let us normalize talking about the colon and how colon cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. 

For this STEAM project, which focuses on the interdisciplinary fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, I chose to research colon cancer and ways to prevent it. This topic is relevant as it relates to the course objective,’know the tissues/cells and functions of the following: stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, large and small intestine, and esophagus to these functions.’ This cancer develops in the tissues of the rectum or colon, which are a part of the large intestine. It affects the mucosa lining, which is the innermost layer of the colon. It withholds cells that make and release mucus and other fluids (Celesia, A (2023), and if these cells mutate or change, they may create a colon polyp and, if untreated, become cancerous. There are five stages of colorectal cancer (0,1,2,3,4) where there can be little to no symptoms in the early stages of 0 and 1. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colorectal cancer is ranked the third most common cancer worldwide and second in leading causes of death worldwide. Its prevalence is seen in males and females aged 66-69, with the risk increasing as one gets older. However, improved routine screenings, diagnosis, and treatments have bolstered survival rates by up to 30% (Singh, B. et al. 2020). Colorectal cancers demonstrate a variety of traits that differentiate with their location in the large intestine so some treatments may work the same (Coelho, D., Et al 2025). However, treatment options are surgery, radiofrequency ablation (using radio waves to heat up and destroy abnormal cells), cryosurgery (using freezing liquid to destroy abnormal cells), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy (Medline 2025). 

Suggested screenings are from ages 45-75, but this may depend on healthcare providers if a patient needs further screenings after age 75. Common symptoms one should look out for are seeing blood in their stool, changes in bowel habits, unintentional weight loss, fatigue, and abdominal pain. However, if one does experience these symptoms, it does not mean they have colon cancer, but they should see their primary care provider if these persist over long periods. Family history is also something to consider when looking at various risk factors. Other factors besides age and familial history are personal factors like having polyps previously resected and lifestyle. Those who adhere to an unhealthy lifestyle, eat processed meats, are low in lean protein, fruit, and vegetable consumption, are smokers, are obese, and live a sedentary lifestyle are at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. Being sedentary accounts for 14% of colon cancer cases, and “…an estimated 40.0% of the U.S. population engage in no leisure-time physical activity, and only 29.7% meet national guidelines for regular physical activity” (Coups, E. et al., 20008). 

There is evidence that those who partake in regular physical activity greatly reduce colon cancer risk by 30-40%. Despite the number of studies conducted on the relationship between physical activity and the opprtunity to develop this cancer, very little awareness has been spread in the United States. In other countries, awareness of the association between physical inactivity and colorectal cancer is also generally low (Coups, E. et al., 2008). Moreover, this association is supported by biological mechanisms, including decreased inflammation, decreased insulin-like growth factor levels, reduced intestinal conveyance time, reduced hyperinsulinemia, and modulated immune function with physical activity (Wolin, K.Y. et al., 2009). According to an article by Wolen, K.Y. et al., “the World Health Organization conducted a meta-analysis using data from studies before 2000, and estimated that 16% of the global colon cancer disease burden is due to physical inactivity.” Overall, leading a healthy lifestyle is crucial in improving one’s quality of life and should be considered by everyone. Even though colorectal cancer is a disease that is ranked as one of the top three cancers in the world and the top two leading causes of death, fortunately, there are many factors that can help prevent and treat this, such as lifestyle, routine screenings, and various treatment options. 

References 

Ayundini, G., & Simadibrata, M. (2016). Screening and Management of Colon Polyp as Colorectal Cancer Prevention. Indonesian Journal of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Digestive Endoscopy, 17(2), 112–115.

Celecia, A. (2023). THE HDAC INHIBITOR ITF2357 (GIVINOSTAT) AS A KEY

PLAYER IN EPIGENETIC TARGETING OF MELANOMA AND

COLON CANCER CELLS. https://core.ac.uk/download/576921850.pdf

Coelho, D., Estêvão, D., Oliveira, M. J., & Sarmento, B. (2025). Radioresistance in rectal cancer: can nanoparticles turn the tide? Molecular Cancer, 24(1), 1–23. https://doi-org.uaf.idm.oclc.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02232-x

Coups, E. J., Hay, J., & Ford, J. S. (2008). Awareness of the role of physical activity in colon cancer prevention. Patient Education & Counseling, 72(2), 246–251. https://doi-org.uaf.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.pec.2008.03.007

MedlinePlus. (2019). Colorectal Cancer. Medlineplus.gov; National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/colorectalcancer.html

Singh, B., Hayes, S.C., Spence, R.R. et al. Exercise and colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of exercise safety, feasibility and effectiveness. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 17, 122 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-020-01021-7

Wolin, K. Y., Yan, Y., Colditz, G. A., & Lee, I. M. (2009). Physical activity and colon cancer prevention: a meta-analysis. British journal of cancer, 100(4), 611–616. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6604917