100 Black Men of America, Inc.

Colorectal Cancer Information

Colorectal Cancer – Colorectal cancer is a term used to refer to cancer that develops in the colon or the rectum. These cancers are sometimes referred to separately as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where they start. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus. Colorectal cancer affects both men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, and is most often found in people aged 50 years or older. For men, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer. For women, colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer among Asian/Pacific Islander and Hispanic women, and the third most common cancer among white, black and American Indian/Alaska Native women.

Of cancers affecting both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. In 2005,* 141,405 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and 53,005 people died from it. *Latest year for which statistics are available. Source: USCS .

Statistics – Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the U.S. In 2005 (the most recent year for which statistics are currently available)—

72,007 men and 69,398 women were diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
26,781 men and 26,224 women died from colorectal cancer.

Data source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2005 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2009. Information available at: http://www.cdc.gov/uscs .

Risk Factors - Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for the number of colorectal cancer cases in the United States are for 2009:

106,100 new cases of colon cancer (52,010 in men and 54,090 in women)
40,870 new cases of rectal cancer (23,580 in men and 17,290 in women)

Overall, the lifetime risk for developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 19 (5.3%). This risk is slightly higher in men than in women. A number of other factors (described in the section, "Risk factors for colorectal cancer") mayalso affect a person's risk for developing colorectal cancer. Information available at: http://www.cancer.org

Guidelines for Early Detection – CDC recommendations are as follows: Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.

When Should I Begin to Get Screened?

You should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 50, then continue getting screened at regular intervals. However, you may need to be tested earlier or more often than other people if—

You or a close relative have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer.
You have inflammatory bowel disease.
You have genetic syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer.

Speak with your doctor about when you should begin screening and how often you should be tested.

View the CDC Screen for Life PSA’s featuring 100 member Terrence Howard at: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/sfl/tv_psa.htm

Treatment Options – find answers to your questions, plus learn about what to ask your physician, what's new in research, and what you can expect after treatment is over at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/ETO_1.asp

Locate one of the five Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) colorectal cancer screening demonstration programs which provides screening and diagnostic services to U.S. adults 50 years and older, review screening programs by state, learn about legislation related to colorectal cancer and other activities. Click here now. Colorectal Cancer Activities Across the Nation

Send a CDC Health-e-Card!

Remind someone you care about to get screened for colorectal cancer with CDC's I Got Screened. Now It's Your Turn electronic greeting card featuring actor Jimmy Smits.