A Review on Colorectal Cancer and the Role of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine as Complementary Therapy

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC), encompassing cancers of the colon and rectum area, is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, posing a significant health challenge. In 2020, CRC contributed to 9.4% of all cancer fatalities. With the significant rise in cases among the elderly, it is projected that the figure will double by 2035 globally, particularly in less developed countries. For many years, surgery and chemotherapy have been the mainstay treatments for cancer, but patients with metastatic disease have generally faced poor outcomes. Currently, there is a renewal of interest to explore the potential of natural products to treat cancers. Nature provides many effective treatments for severe diseases, with around 75-80% of the global population relying on conventional medical practices due to limited access to healthcare and concerns about synthetic medicine safety. Natural products are crucial for treating infectious diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders, and references in religious texts have spurred scientific validation of traditional claims. These products are excellent sources for CRC treatments, with nearly 50% of current cancer therapies derived from natural ingredients. This review focuses on the discussion of colorectal cancer and the potential of Chinese traditional herbs used in treating colorectal cancers. Furthermore, various signalling pathways of CRC and the possible mechanism of TCM intervening in these pathways are also discussed.