Colorectal cancer accounted for some 16,000 deaths and 42,000 new patients in the United Kingdom in 2011; however, incidence rates have been decreasing over the past 20 years.1 As such, it is the fourth most common cause of death from malignant disease behind breast, lung and prostate carcinomas. The incidence of colorectal carcinoma is also not uniformly distributed amongst all populations. The highest incidences are in Western Europe and North America, whereas intermediate rates prevail in Eastern Europe. The lowest rates are seen in Asia, Africa and South America, excluding Argentina. However, there is some evidence that the incidence of the disease in Asia and Africa is increasing, probably as a result of a transition to a western lifestyle. The most common period of life for the development of rectal cancer is 55–74 years, and the incidence of the disease tends to increase with advancing age.