Aleissa M, Drelichman ER, Mittal VK, Bhullar JS. Barriers in early detection of colorectal cancer and exploring potential solutions. World J Clin Oncol 2024; 15(7): 811-817 [PMID: 39071472 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v15.i7.811]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Maryam Aleissa, Doctor, Academic Fellow, Surgeon, Department of Surgery, Ascension Providence Hospital, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, 16001 W Nine Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075, United States. maaleissa@pnu.edu.sa
Research Domain of This Article
Oncology
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Maryam Aleissa, Ernesto Raul Drelichman, Vijay K Mittal, Jasneet Singh Bhullar, Department of Surgery, Ascension Providence Hospital, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Southfield, MI 48075, United States
Maryam Aleissa, College of Medicine, Princess Norah University Hospital, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
Co-corresponding authors: Maryam Aleissa and Jasneet Singh Bhullar.
Author contributions: Aleissa M wrote the paper; Drelichman ER contributed in writing the paper; Mittal VK contributed in writing the paper; Bhullar JS design research, wrote the paper. Aleissa M is the primary corresponding author, has undertaken the majority of the research work, including designing the paper, reviewing resources, and manuscript preparation. Aleissa M is responsible for handling all communications with the journal, managing the submission process, and addressing any editorial and reviewer comments. Bhullar JS is the senior corresponding author. He will be available to answer any questions from readers, leveraging their extensive expertise to provide comprehensive responses and further insights. We believe that this dual corresponding author arrangement will enhance the clarity and efficiency of our interactions with both the journal and the broader research community.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Maryam Aleissa, Doctor, Academic Fellow, Surgeon, Department of Surgery, Ascension Providence Hospital, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, 16001 W Nine Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075, United States. maaleissa@pnu.edu.sa
Received: May 1, 2024 Revised: June 21, 2024 Accepted: July 4, 2024 Published online: July 24, 2024 Processing time: 76 Days and 4.7 Hours
Abstract
This editorial discusses the literature review article by Tonini and Zanni, the paper was published in January 2024, and the authors provided very interesting conclusions regarding existing barriers to the early diagnosis of colon cancer. Many cancers do not have identifiable precursors, or there are currently no screening tests to find them. Therefore, these cancers do not have preventive screening options. Early detection is crucial for reducing mortality rates by identifying cancer at an earlier stage through screening, as opposed to no screening. Colorectal cancer develops from precancerous lesions, which can be detected early and potentially prevented and cured. Early detection leads to improved survival rates, decreased complications, and reduced healthcare expenses. This editorial provides a brief description of the biology of colon cancer, emphasizing the contrast in outcomes between early detection and late detection. We also describe screening programs around the globe and examine the barriers in each program. Finally, we explore potential future solutions to enhance inclusion in screening programs and improve patient compliance.
Core Tip: The incidence of colon cancer is on the rise, affecting increasingly younger populations. Contributing factors include dietary changes, sedentary lifestyles, genetic predispositions, and environmental influences. To combat this trend, promoting awareness and encouraging preventive measures is crucial. Early detection of colon cancer is critical for improving survival rates and treatment outcomes. However, several barriers impede effective screening. This editorial article provides a detailed analysis of the obstacles outlined in Tonini and Zanni's publication and investigates potential strategies to enhance screening delivery to diverse populations.
