The History of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (colon cancer) has plagued mankind for thousands of years. Colorectal polyps develop in the colon and rectum that become cancerous if they are not treated. During the 20th century, science made tremendous gains in the identification and treatment of colorectal cancer. These findings helped to identify at-risk groups and to reduce the prevalence of colon cancer.

Ancient Civilizations

• Gastrointestinal illnesses have affected individuals for nearly 6,000 years. Ancient Chinese civilizations used special herbs to treat symptoms associated with what is now known as colorectal cancer, while ancient Greeks and Indians used olive oil and mustard to prevent the condition. Colorectal cancer was a serious health concern in numerous societies until the 20th century, when patterns started to emerge.

Hereditary Link

• One in five people that develop colorectal cancer has an immediate family member who suffers from the condition. American pathologist Aldred Scott Warthin identified the hereditary link between certain types of colorectal cancer in 1913, when his seamstress accurately predicted that she would die from the condition because it had claimed numerous family members. After her death, Warthin and his colleagues studied her family history and found that three generations of her family had died from the illness. These findings led to the identification of heredity as a risk factor for colorectal cancer.

  In 1966, Henry Lynch expanded on Warthin's research and developed Lynch Syndrome I and II to describe cancer of the digestive tract, particularly in the colon and rectum, which led to identifying the problem areas for the condition.

Decline

• During the latter half of the 20th century science determined that colorectal cancer was most common among people over age 50. One in 17 people in the United States will develop the condition. Until 1985, colorectal cancer diagnoses had risen steadily each year; however, since that time, they have decreased 1.6 percent on an annual basis.

Screening and Treatment

• Colorectal cancer's overall decline in prevalence and mortality since the late 1980s is due largely to advancements in cancer screening techniques and treatments, and healthier lifestyles and diets. Researchers developed colonoscopies and fecal occult blood tests to determine if a person has polyps in her colon or rectum. These tests have paved the way to early detection. When colorectal cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate is 90 percent.

  Advancements in chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to remove the cancerous parts of the colon have greatly improved colorectal cancer outcomes as well.

Racial Disparities

• The disparities in prevalence of colon cancer among racial and ethnic groups concern researchers. A 30-year CDC study of the diagnosis rates of colon cancer found that the highest rate of diagnosis was among black Americans; Native Americans, Asians and Latinos were the next most likely to develop the disease. Black Americans males, Native American and Latino women had the highest death rates of all groups. Researchers have not found the reason for the high prevalence of colorectal cancer among certain racial and ethnic groups.