Are There Markers for the Risk of Colorectal Cancer?

Cancer of the colon and rectum is a major public-health problem in the United States, with 130,000 new cases and 59,400 deaths expected in 1984. Primary prevention of colorectal cancer depends on identifying the etiologic factors responsible and eliminating them or inhibiting their effects. Secondary prevention depends on either detection of the cancer at the earliest stage, when curability is likely, or detection and removal of precursor lesions. Evidence suggests that dietary factors may be responsible for promoting colon carcinogenesis. Until these factors are delineated further, primary prevention cannot be effectively practiced. However, secondary prevention is feasible at present.1 There . . .