Update on hereditary colorectal cancer and its impact on public health

Abstract

Progress in clinical, genetic and molecular research of colorectal cancer (CRC) in recent years has allowed its early detection and timely and targeted treatment. However, one of the greatest challenges is the heterogeneous nature of CRC and the involvement of various molecular pathways in its carcinogenesis. The implementation of technologies known as omics -such as genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics and epigenomics- in biomedical research on patients with hereditary CRC has allowed the identification of new genes or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect the expressivity of cancer. Bioinformatics tools have also contributed to generate new hypotheses about CRC, guiding the approach to these patients towards personalized medicine. This scientific and technological progress has an impact on health, both at the individual and the collective level, so it is important to reflect on the feasibility of developing public health strategies for the implementation of a comprehensive and genetic program for the prevention and treatment of cancer in Peru, especially hereditary CRC.