Colorectal cancer was infrequently diagnosed several decades ago. Nowadays, it is the world's fourth most deadly cancer with almost 900,000 deaths annually. Colorectal cancer had a low incidence several decades ago. However, it has become predominant cancer and now accounts for approximately 10% of cancer-related mortality in western countries. The ‘rise’ of colorectal cancer in developed countries can be attributed to the increasingly aging population, unfavorable modern dietary habits and an increase in risk factors such as smoking, low physical exercise and obesity. New treatments for primary and metastatic colorectal cancer have emerged, providing additional options for patients; these treatments include laparoscopic surgery for primary disease, more aggressive resection of metastatic disease (such as liver and pulmonary metastases), radiotherapy for rectal cancer and neoadjuvant and palliative chemotherapies. However, these new treatment options have had a limited impact on cure rates and long-term survival. Keywords: Colorectal cancer, Tumor marker, Hereditary colorectal cancer, Mediterranean diet.