To provide a review of the etiology, risk factors, treatment, and nursing care of patients with colorectal cancer.Review articles, screening guidelines, and textbook chapters.Although colorectal cancer remains a major health threat in the United States, advances made over the last 10 years in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment have changed the management and care of patients with this disease. The key to survival of colorectal cancer is screening and early detection.Regardless of the multimodalities of treatment used, the nurse's role as educator, caregiver, supporter, and advocate requires an ongoing commitment to remain knowledgeable of and current in advances made in the prevention, detection, and treatment of colorectal cancer.