Colorectal Cancer Research Highlights
The American Cancer Society (ACS) helps find answers to critical questions about colorectal cancer (CRC).
- What causes it?
- How can it be successfully prevented, detected, and treated?
- What is the best age to start screening?
- How can the quality of life for colorectal cancer survivors be improved?
Studying questions like these has helped improve screening and treatment methods, which has contributed to substantial decreases in deaths from colorectal cancer over the past 20 years. Thank you to all our donors who make this research possible.
54% of Colorectal Cancer Cases and 55% of Deaths Have the Potential to Be Prevented with Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer worldwide and the 2nd leading cause of death from cancer. It's estimated that about 55% of colorectal cases and deaths could be attributed to modifiable risk factors, such as:
- Diets high in red and processed meat and low in fruit, vegetables, fiber, and calcium
- Not being physically active
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
Risk and Prevention Studies
More ACS Studies Show Increases in Colorectal Cancer for Younger People
Screening and Early Detection Studies
Striking Trends by Age for Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Death Rates
Improvements in incidence rates and death rates for colorectal cancer are due to changing patterns in risk factors, earlier detection through the widespread use of screening, and improvements in treatment, but those improvements are limited to older adults.
Treatment Studies
Eye-opening statistics about colorectal cancer in adults younger than age 50
Survivorship Studies
Featured Term: Gut Microbiome
The gut microbiome is a collection of microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi that mostly live in the digestive tract. Every person's gut microbiome is uniquely shaped by their diet, lifestyle, genetics, and environment. Gut bacteria help with day-to-day functions like synthesizing vitamins, digesting food, and metabolizing drugs. They also help regulate the immune system and protect the body from potentially harmful bacteria. Recent findings have shown that the gut microbiome can help cancer grow and also help keep it from growing.
Colorectal Cancer Research News
We Fund Cancer Researchers Across the US
The ACS funds scientists who conduct research about breast cancer at medical schools, universities, research institutes, and hospitals throughout the United States. We use a rigorous and independent peer review process to select the most innovative research project proposals to fund.
