Colon Cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. In 2011, an estimated 101,340 new cases of colon cancer and approximately 39,870 cases of rectal cancer will occur. During the same year, an estimated 49,380 people will die of colon and rectal cancer combined. 1 Despite these statistics, the incidence per 100,000 of colon and rectal cancers has decreased from 60.5 in 1976 to 46.4 in 2005. 2 In addition, mortality from colorectal cancer has decreased by almost 35% from 1990 to 2007, 1 possibly because of earlier diagnosis through screening and better treatment modalities.