Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is the second most common malignancy in the developed world,
with similar incidence rates for both men and women. This type of cancer
results in approximately 4,000 deaths in Australia every year and 8,500 new
cases are diagnosed annually. The peak incidence of colon cancer is in the
seventh decade, with only 20% of cancers diagnosed before the age of 50.
Both environmental and genetic factors are believed to contribute to the
incidence of colon cancer.
The process through which colon cancers arise - the Adenoma-Carcinoma
sequence - is a well documented series of pathological events leading to
the formation of a malignant tumor cell. QIMR researchers work in
collaboration with clinicians at local hospitals such as the Royal Brisbane
Hospital, the Princess Alexandra Hospital, and other scientists at the
University of Queensland to investigate the molecular and genetic factors
that lead to colon cancer.
Research is focussed on the following areas:
- Investigations into colorectal cancer
- Identification of new colon cancer genes
- Studies of Colorectal Cancer in Families