1. Stages
Risk Factors
Statistics
1. Siegel R, DeSantis C, Jemal A. Colorectal Cancer Statistics 2014. CA: A Cancer
Journal for Clinicians. 2014; 64(2): 104-117. DOI: 10.3322/caac.21220
2. Ballinger, Anne B. "Colorectal Cancer." BMJ: British Medical Journal 335.7622
(2007): 715-18. Colorectal Cancer. American Cancer Society, 10, Oct. 2015.
Web. 12 Apr. 2016.
3. El-Shami K, Oeffinger KC, Erb NL, et al. American Cancer Society Colorectal Cancer
Survivorship Care Guidelines. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2015; 65(6):
427-455. DOI: 10.3322/caac.2128
4. Pericleous, Marinos, Dalvinder Mandair, and Martyn E. Caplin. 4 Dec. 2013. "Diet
and Supplements and Their Impact on Colorectal Cancer." Journal of
Gastrointestinal Oncology. Pioneer Bioscience Publishing Company, Web. DOI:
10.3978/j.issn.2078-6801.2013.003
5. "Diet after Bowel Cancer." Diet after Bowel Cancer. Cancer Research UK, 30 Sept.
2015. Web. 12 Apr. 2016.
• Colorectal cancer is the third most common
cancer that is diagnosed in the United States
of men and women.1
• The American Cancer Society estimates that
in 2016 there will be 95,270 new cases of
colon cancer.
• The overall lifetime risk of one developing
colon cancer is 1 in 21 for men, 4.7% and 1
in 23 for women, 4.4%.2
• Death rates from colorectal cancer has been
decreasing in men and women over the past
decades.
• This is due to screening measures that now
detect polyps earlier, and the advancement of
treatment actions.
• Due to these improvements, there are now
over 1 million survivors in the US.1
Colorectal Cancer
Malignant polyps in the colon2
• Overweight and obesity classification
• Physical inactivity
• Diets high in red and processed meats
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol use
• Adults older than 50 years old
• Genetics - family history3
• Race and Ethnicity
• African Americans-highest death rate.2 References Screening for Protection
1. Stage 0- Intramucosal carcinoma, meaning
the cancer has not grown out of the inner
layer of colon.
2. Stage 1- Cancer has grown through
muscularis mucosa, but not yet into the
lymph nodes.2
3. Stage 2- Cancer has grown to the
outermost layers of colon or rectum.
4. Stage 3- Cancer has spread to lymph
nodes, but not to other organs. Partial
colectomy (removal of colon) may be
needed for this stage.
5. Stage 4- Cancer has metastasized too
much to be controlled by surgery alone;
chemotherapy treatment is needed. Most
severe stage of colorectal cancer.3
• Limit consumption of high fat foods and sodium.
• Increase consumption of fibrous plant based foods
and aim to get 5 servings of fruits and vegetables
daily.
• Make half, if not more, of your grains whole.
• Aim to maintain lean body mass through regular
physical activity and a normal healthy diet.4
• Avoid caffeinated beverages.
• A diet for a colorectal cancer patient is not limited,
unless other recommendations are advised.5
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Molly McCarthy & Lauren Johnson MNT 2
April 12, 2016
2
1
• From the first growth of abnormal cells that
grow into polyps, it takes about 10 to 15
years for the development of cancer.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-
contrast barium enema, CT colonoscopy, etc,
can be used to detect cancer and colon
polyps.
• Screening tests should start by age 50 for
people without major risk factors, but earlier
for those who have a strong family history.2