How common is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer killer overall and third most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States in both males and females. Lung and prostate cancers are more common in men and lung and breast in women. In 2007, there will be 153,000 new cases and 52,000 deaths from colorectal cancer. 3. What is screening for colorectal cancer? Screening means looking for cancer or polyps when patients have no symptoms. Finding colorectal cancer before symptoms develop dramatically improves the chance of survival. Identifying and removing polyps before they become cancerous actually prevents the development of colorectal cancer. 4. Who is at risk for colorectal cancer? • Everyone age 50 and older. The average age to develop colorectal cancer is 70 years, and 93% of cases occur in persons 50 years of age or older. Current recommendations are to begin screening at age 50 if there are no risk factors other than age for colorectal cancers. A person whose only risk
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among both men and women in the United States. It is also the third most common cause of cancer death among men and women separately (and the second most common cause of cancer death total if men and women are combined) in the United States. In 2008, approximately 148,810 adults (77,250 men and 71,560 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer. These numbers include the 108,070 adults diagnosed with colon cancer and the 40,740 adults diagnosed with rectal cancer. An estimated 49,960 deaths (24,260 men and 25,700 women) will occur from this disease this year. How can a person know if he or she has inherited a genetic mutation that increases his or her risk of colorectal cancer? Only genetic testing can determine whether a person has a genetic mutation. Most experts strongly recommend that people considering genetic testing first consult a genetic counselor. Genetic counselors are trained to explain the risks and
Excluding skin malignancies, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed among American men and women. (The leading cancers for men are lung and prostate cancers; for women, lung and breast cancers.) About 130,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed each year. Six percent of all Americans, one out of every 17, will develop colorectal cancer.
Sources: American Cancer Society, Canadian Cancer Society and European Society for Medical Oncology According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women, and the second leading cause of death from cancer in North America. It strikes approximately 174,000 people and causes nearly 61,000 deaths annually in the United States and Canada. It accounts for about 10% of all cancer deaths. That figure is staggering when you consider the disease is potentially curable if diagnosed in the early stages. Though colorectal cancer may occur at any age, more than 90% of the patients are diagnosed in individuals aged 50 years and older.
