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Colorectal cancer prevention

Terry Bolin, Alistair E Cowen and Melvyn G Korman
Med J Aust 2002; 176 (4): . || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04340.x
Published online: 18 February 2002

The biology of colorectal cancer provides an important opportunity for cancer prevention, as most cancers in the lower bowel evolve from polyps (adenomas). Removal of adenomas markedly reduces the subsequent risk of disease. Consequently, the rational aim of any prevention program should be not only to detect early cancer but also the precursor adenoma. The strategies to reduce mortality include:


  • 1 Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW.
  • 2 Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, QLD.
  • 3 Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, VIC.



Competing interests:

None declared.

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