Coinciding with the World Colon Cancer Day, Dr. Diego Arango, head of the Molecular Oncology group at CIBBIM-Nanomedicine at Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), talks about the prevention and the state of research in this disease: Today, on March 31, is the colorectal cancer awareness day. This disease affects nearly 450,000 Europeans, causes more than 210,000 deaths per year, and it is the type of cancer with the highest incidence throughout the western world. Fortunately, more than the 90% of the cases can be cured if are detected in the early stages. In this international day against colorectal cancer, we want to draw the attention in the prevention and the early detection.To reduce the risk of suffering this disease it is important to: Follow a balanced diet, low in saturated fat and rich in fiber (cereals, legumes, etc.), and eat fruits and vegetables daily. Practice exercise and maintain a healthy weight. Don’t smoking.For the early detection of the disease, it is important to be aware of the changes in the bowel function that last several weeks and to detect the possible presence of blood in the feces. Besides, from the age of 50 it is recommended to take a test regularly to detect the presence of hidden blood in the feces, or to get a colonoscopy. These tests should be taken first in people with high risk of suffering colorectal cancer, this is the case of the people with inflammatory bowel diseases and relatives (parents, siblings or descendants) with colon cancer.The "http://www.vhir.org/larecerca/grupsrecerca/ca_grups_equip.asp?Idioma=en&mv1=2&mv2=1&mh1=2&mh2=1&mh3=1&mh4=0&ms=0&area=13&grup=2&menu=3" Molecular Oncology group at CIBBIM/VHIR investigates the molecular causes that lead to the disease. Our group is interested in studying the role of several genes that we think that are important for the progression of this type of tumors. We also investigate new personalized treatments with chemotherapy for patients with colorectal cancer, in order to improve the evolution of the disease. "http://www.vhir.org/salapremsa/noticies/noticies_detall.asp?Idioma=en&mv1=5&mv2=3&mh1=0&mh2=0&mh3=0&mh4=0&ms=0&any=2013&num=13" Dr. Diego Arango leads an international project to determine whether Aprataxin protein can be a biomarker of response to the most common treatment against colorectal cancer. Since 2000, there is a "http://www20.gencat.cat/portal/site/salut/menuitem.44aa574d7b74d7ec3bfd8a10b0c0e1a0/?vgnextoid=37168aff3738c210VgnVCM2000009b0c1e0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=37168aff3738c210VgnVCM2000009b0c1e0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=detall&contentid=e8214e0b71615410VgnVCM1000008d0c1e0aRCRD" program of early detection of colorectal cancer in Catalonia, intended for both men and women aged between 50 and 69, aimed to analyze the presence of blood in the feces.