Colorectal cancer is one of the most common type of cancer, and according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), its incidence rate is likely to increase especially in less developed countries.

Scientific studies show that the growing number of colorectal cancer diagnoses is related to different factors:

• The ageing population
• Unhealthy eating
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Environmental pollution

In Mediterranean countries the means used to fight against colorectal cancer (screening, prevention, treatment) change according to the country and to the available financial resources.

In the majority of EU Mediterranean countries people have access to screening programs and effective treatments. On the contrary, in most of non-EU Mediterranean countries, the lack of resources often leads to insufficient screening and prevention plans and shortage of qualified medical staff.

The COLOMED project is an initiative launched by a group of doctors and researchers in order to promote the integration and the development of knowledge and treatments for colorectal cancer in the Mediterranean area. The project includes a series of activities aimed at increasing coordination and communication between the most important clinical and research centers and promoting training for young scientists.

COLOMED is supported by the EUROMED program promoted by the Italian Ministero della Salute (Ministry of Health).