Table of Contents
Risk Factors and Prevention
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S., with Americans facing a lifetime chance of 5 - 6% for this cancer. Each year, about 143,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and about 50,000 people die from the disease. About 72% of cancers occur in the colon and 28% in the rectum.
Rates of colorectal cancer have been decreasing in the United States. This is due in part to more people getting regular screenings for colorectal cancer, and fewer people engaging in risk factors such as smoking.
Age
Colorectal cancer risk increases with age. More than 90% of these cancers occur in people over age 50.
Gender
Men have a slightly higher risk than women for developing colorectal cancer.
Race and Ethnicity
African-Americans have the highest risk of being diagnosed with, and dying from, colorectal cancer. Among Caucasians, Jews of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) descent have a higher rate of colorectal cancer. Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, Hispanics/Latinos, and American Indians/Alaska Natives have a lower risk than Caucasians.
Family History of Colorectal Cancer
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Review Date: 10/21/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
