Early detection is essential if patients are to be offered the best chance of survival from colorectal cancer. Many of the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the development of this disease are now well recognized. In addition, new drug therapies have changed the way colorectal cancer is treated. 'Fast Facts: Colorectal Cancer' delivers concise and highly practical information on all aspects of this all too common disease. This fully updated third edition provides invaluable information for the primary care team, who are key to the screening and diagnosis of the disease, and essential to the provision of optimal support services. Written by three international specialists, this new edition has been substantially revised and expanded, and includes: • Discussion of the latest therapeutic developments in both the adjuvant and metastatic setting • Updated information on the genetic factors that contribute to development of the disease • Expert guidance on diagnosis, screening and treatments Contents: • Epidemiology and pathophysiology • Clinical presentation • Diagnosis and staging • Screening and surveillance • Treatment of the primary disease • Large bowel obstruction • Advanced and recurrent disease • Multidisciplinary management • Future trends • Useful Resources

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is cancer that begins in the colon or rectum of the digestive system. KRAS is a protein that sends signals to cells telling them to divide. In healthy cells, KRAS can be switched on and off. In some cancer cells, gene mutations cause changes in the KRAS protein that mean it is constantly switched on, driving cells to divide. KRAS mutation status can be used to guide treatment decisions. New treatments that target a KRAS mutation have been approved for non-small cell lung cancer and are now being tested for CRC. Other treatments are also being developed.

Not to broach the subject of excess weight with a patient is a dereliction of duty as a healthcare professional, say the authors of 'Fast Facts: Obesity'. "Patients who smoke are rapidly identified for intervention, and the same should be true of anyone who is obese". Every consultation is an opportunity to educate and encourage patients to pursue better health. 'Fast Facts: Obesity' is packed with practical advice on how best to support patients to improve their nutrition and levels of physical activity, and change their habits, with simple and achievable goals tailored to individual needs and concerns. This highly readable handbook also provides a comprehensive overview of: • the causes and consequences of obesity • the latest information on pharmacological and surgical options • the issues specific to the management of obesity in children, pregnant women and the elderly. The authors say: “The opportunity to educate others and exert influence can be leveraged at many levels, even with limited amounts of time.” Reading 'Fast Facts: Obesity' is an excellent starting point for any healthcare professional who wants to understand this major threat to human health and ultimately improve outcomes. Contents: • Patient assessment • Causes and science • Cardiometabolic consequences • Other consequences • Management: diet • Management: physical activity • Management: behavioral therapy • Pharmacological and surgical treatments • Children, the elderly and pregnant women • Management tools, prevention and advocacy • Useful resources • The health risks of excess weight figure

Genetic susceptibility refers to how variations in a person’s genes increase or decrease his or her susceptibility to environmental factors, such as chemicals, radiation and lifestyle (diet and smoking). This volume will explore the latest findings in the area of genetic susceptibility to gastrointestinal cancers, focusing on molecular epidemiology, DNA repair, and gene-environment interactions to identify factors that affect the incidence of GI cancers. Topics will include germline susceptibility, including Mendelian patterns of inheritance and gene-environment interactions that lead to cancer etiology.

Colorectal Cancer Screening provides a complete overview of colorectal cancer screening, from epidemiology and molecular abnormalities, to the latest screening techniques such as stool DNA and FIT, Computerized Tomography (CT) Colonography, High Definition Colonoscopes and Narrow Band Imaging. As the text is devoted entirely to CRC screening, it features many facts, principles, guidelines and figures related to screening in an easy access format. This volume provides a complete guide to colorectal cancer screening which will be informative to the subspecialist as well as the primary care practitioner. It represents the only text that provides this up to date information about a subject that is continually changing. For the primary practitioner, information on the guidelines for screening as well as increasing patient participation is presentedd. For the subspecialist, information regarding the latest imaging techniques as well as flat adenomas and chromoendoscopy are covered. The section on the molecular changes in CRC will appeal to both groups. The text includes up to date information about colorectal screening that encompasses the entire spectrum of the topic and features photographs of polyps as well as diagrams of the morphology of polyps as well as photographs of CT colonography images. Algorithms are presented for all the suggested guidelines. Chapters are devoted to patient participation in screening and risk factors as well as new imaging technology. This useful volume explains the rationale behind screening for CRC. In addition, it covers the different screening options as well as the performance characteristics, when available in the literature, for each test. This volume will be used by the sub specialists who perform screening tests as well as primary care practitioners who refer patients to be screened for colorectal cancer.

For the lay reader wishing to know more about colon cancer, this handbook gives concise information and explanation on diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Illustrations.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, referred to collectively as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are chronic debilitating disorders. IBD, particularly Crohn's disease, is increasing everywhere, most notably in the Western world where about 1 in 200 people now has the condition. This highly readable, 'zippy' fifth edition of 'Fast Facts: Inflammatory Bowel Disease' provides succinct yet thorough information that will aid early recognition of these disorders and their complications, alongside practical holistic management advice. With important emphasis on the doctor–patient relationship and effective multidisciplinary services, 'Fast Facts: Inflammatory Bowel Disease' is an invaluable resource for all primary care providers, hospital doctors in training, nurses, stoma therapists, dieticians, psychologists, counselors and social workers; in fact, all health professionals involved in the care of patients with IBD, as well as patients who wish to know more about their condition. Contents: • Etiopathogenesis • Clinical features and intestinal complications • Extraintestinal manifestations and complications • Diagnosis • Drugs used to treat inflammatory bowel disease • Principles of management • Medical management of ulcerative colitis • Medical management of Crohn’s disease • Surgery • IBD in pregnancy, childhood and old age • Prognosis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises two idiopathic chronic relapsing and remitting inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Understanding of the etiopathogenesis of IBD, and how best to treat it, continues to advance rapidly and has led to the need for this new edition. Chapter 1 has been substantially revised, emphasizing recent data that indicate how the gut microbiome and its human host may interact to cause IBD in genetically susceptible people. In later chapters, the latest thinking on how best to use immunomodulatory and biological drugs is discussed, along with new sections on recently introduced and imminent therapies. This book is aimed at non-specialist doctors (particularly primary care providers and hospital doctors in training), nurses, stoma therapists, dieticians, psychologists, counselors, social workers and other professionals involved in the care of patients with IBD. Contents: • Etiopathogenesis • Clinical features and intestinal complications • Extraintestinal manifestations and complications • Diagnosis • Drugs used to treat IBD • Principles of management • Medical management of ulcerative colitis • Medical management of Crohn’s disease • Surgery • IBD in pregnancy, childhood and old age • Prognosis

Prostate cancer is unusual among solid tumors in that the majority of affected men die with, rather than of, the disease. This presents many challenges to healthcare professionals and patients in terms of deciding if, when and how to intervene in order to control tumor growth and spread, thereby extending survival but without compromising quality of life. This is the ninth edition of 'Fast Facts: Prostate Cancer' since 1996, testament to the rapid changes in the field and the steadily improving outlook for patients. This new edition provides many key updates: • the Gleason grade grouping, which has valuable prognostic value • nomograms to evaluate risk • our rapidly expanding understanding of the genetics and underlying pathogenesis of prostate cancer and the development of genomic tests to help identify those at greatest risk of developing clinically significant disease • the continuing debate about the role of PSA in the screening, detection and monitoring of prostate cancer • advances in imaging techniques, particularly multiparametric MRI, which is improving the accuracy of biopsy and reducing the numbers of negative biopsies • the roles of drugs, surgery and radiotherapy in the treatment of prostate cancer at different stages, and our ever-improving understanding of when and how best to intervene, aided by improving understanding of the risk factors for disease progression. Primarily intended for primary care providers, specialist nurses, junior doctors and allied healthcare professionals, this highly readable resource provides a comprehensive overview of prostate cancer, enabling fully informed discussions with patients about this complex disease. Contents: • Epidemiology and pathophysiology • Diet, lifestyle and chemoprevention • Screening and early detection • Diagnosis, staging and prognostic indicators • Management of clinically localized disease • Managing recurrence after initial therapy • Management of metastatic prostate cancer • Management of castrate-resistant prostate cancer • Survivorship and treatment complications

This book provides all that the family doctor requires to successfully diagnose irritable bowel syndrome and to manage patients with confidence and sensitivity. Both authors are renowned experts recognised not only for their contribution to our current understanding of functional bowel disorders but also for their clear and informative writing style. Includes all key information on causes and mechanisms, diagnosis and management. Offers invaluable tips on history taking and patient interaction. Succinct, expert presentation of the clinical application of the results of an abundance of recent research. An invaluable tool for the diagnosis and treatment of patients in the primary care setting. An insightful review of future developments in diagnosis and treatment including 'alternative' treatments. Contents: • What is IBS? • Epidemiology • Causes and mechanisms • Diagnosis; Approach to treatment • Dietary advice • Drug treatment • Psychological treatment • Future trends.