Colorectal Cancer in the Arab World

Abstract

Abstract: The recent rapid modernization of life in the Arab region has led to major changes in the lifestyle and attitude of Arab people. This has subsequently resulted in an obvious change in the disease burden profile where the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) exert a huge burden in the region. The main factors that have been attributed to this increase in NCDs are the increased incidence of obesity, physical inactivity, stressful busy life, smoking, and dietary habits. Cancer is among the top NCDs that has increased at an alarming pace in the past ten years in the region. It is projected that there will be a 1.8-fold increase in cancer incidence by 2030 among Arabs. Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is among one of the most common cancers that showed a dramatic increase in annual incidence rate among Arabs. Despite the fact that the figures reported for colorectal cancer among Arabs is lower than that for western countries, the incidence is increasing in this region. Across the cancer continuum, CRC care in the region is up to date as it follows international guidelines from board-certified healthcare providers. The CRC screening system is not well developed and not well accepted by the society due to several religious, cultural, unfamiliarity, and distrust issues. This explains the advanced stage of CRC diagnosis in the region that subsequently leads to unfavorable outcomes. This chapter highlights the incidence of CRC and its clinicopathological parameters with molecular profile and preventive measures in the region.