Colorectal cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer morbidity both in men and in women. However, females over 65 years old show higher mortality and lower 5-year survival rate of colorectal cancer compared to their age-matched male counterparts. The objective of this review is to suggest gender-based innovations to improve colorectal cancer outcomes in females. Women have a higher risk of developing right-sided (proximal) colon cancer than men, which is associated with more aggressive form of neoplasia compared to left-sided (distal) colon cancer. Despite differences in tumor location between women and men, most of scientific researchers do not consider sex specificity for study design and interpretation. Also, colorectal cancer screening guidelines do not distinguish females from male, which may explain the higher frequency of more advanced neoplasia when tumors are first detected and false negative results in colonoscopy in females. Moreover, socio-cultural barriers within females are present to delay screening and diagnosis. Few studies, among studies that included both men and women, have reported sex-specific estimates of dietary risk factors which are crucial to establish cancer prevention guidelines despite sex- and gender-associated differences in nutrient metabolism and dietary practices. Furthermore, anti-cancer drug use for colorectal cancer treatment can cause toxicity to the reproductive system, and gender-specific recurrence and survival rates are reported. Therefore, by understanding sex- and gender-related biological and socio-cultural differences in colorectal cancer risk, gender-specific strategies for screening, treatment and prevention protocols can be established to reduce the mortality and improve the quality of life.

Growing evidence suggests that obesity, an established cause of renal cell cancer (RCC), may also be associated with a better prognosis. To evaluate the association between RCC survival and obesity, we analyzed a large cohort of patients with RCC and undertook a meta‐analysis of the published evidence. We collected clinical and pathologic data from 1,543 patients who underwent nephrectomy for RCC between 1994 and 2008 with complete follow‐up through 2008. Patients were grouped according to BMI (kg/m²): underweight <18.5, normal weight 18.5 to <23, overweight 23 to <25 and obese ≥25. We estimated survival using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazard models to examine the impact of BMI on overall survival (OS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) with adjustment for covariates. We performed a meta‐analysis of BMI and OS, CSS and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) from all relevant studies using a random‐effects model. The 5‐year CSS increased from 76.1% in the lowest to 92.7% in the highest BMI category. A multivariate analysis showed higher OS [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.29–0.68) and CSS (HR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.29–0.77] in obese patients than in normal weight patients. The meta‐analysis further corroborated that high BMI significantly improved OS (HR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.43–0.76), CSS (HR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.48–0.74) and RFS (HR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.30–0.81). Our study shows that preoperative BMI is an independent prognostic indicator for survival among patients with RCC.

It remains unknown whether increased risk with low levels of vitamin D is present for colon and/or rectal cancer. To investigate the association between circulating vitamin D levels and colon and rectal cancer, we examined the associations between plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] and colon and rectal cancer in the Physicians' Health Study and then conducted a meta-analysis of eight prospective studies of circulating levels of 25(OH)D and colon and rectal cancers, including the Physicians' Health Study. Study-specific ORs and 95% CIs were pooled by using a random-effects model. A total of 1,822 colon and 868 rectal cancers were included in the meta-analysis. We observed a significant inverse association for colorectal cancer (OR = 0.66; 95% CI, 0.54–0.81), comparing top versus bottom quantiles of circulating 25(OH)D levels. The inverse association was stronger for rectal cancer (OR = 0.50 for top versus bottom quantiles; 95% CI, 0.28–0.88) than colon cancer (OR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.56–1.07; P value for difference between colon and rectal cancer = 0.20). These data suggest an inverse association between circulating 25(OH)D levels and colorectal cancer, with a stronger association for rectal cancer. Cancer Prev Res; 4(5); 735–43. ©2011 AACR.

Background: Experimental and observational studies have suggested that folate may play dual roles in colorectal cancer risk depending on the timing a

Background: Total or red meat intake has been shown to be associated with a higher risk of mortality in Western populations, but little is known of th