Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer Information for Patients and Health Professionals
Overview
It is estimated that 74,630 women in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer of the colon or rectum in 2007 and an estimated 26,180 women will die of the disease by the end of the year, making colorectal cancer the third leading cause of cancer death among women. Black women have the highest incidence and mortality rates, followed by white women. Decreases in colorectal cancer incidence and mortality over the past decade have been largely attributed to the detection and removal of precancerous polyps, the early detection of tumors through screening, and improved treatments. However, the rate of colorectal screening remains low nationally and the potential benefit with broader utilization has yet to be achieved. Five-year survival rates are highest among Asian/Pacific Islander (API) women and lowest among black women. Lower rates of treatment with adjuvant therapy among black patients may contribute to differences in cancer survival.
- Gastrointestinal Cancers Topic Search — Cancer Topic Searches are prepared literature searches from the National Library of Medicine's PubMed database. Citations on a specific sub-category can be retrieved, or results limited by a date range.
Statistics
Colorectal cancer incidence, mortality, and survival, including analyses by race and ethnicity, and information about trends in NCI-funded colorectal cancer research.
- A Snapshot of Colorectal Cancer
- Fast Stats: Colon and Rectum Cancer
- Cancer Stat Fact Sheets: Colon and Rectum
- New Malignancies Following Cancer of the Colon, Rectum, and Anus (SEER Cancer Registries, 1973-2000)
NCI Research on Colorectal Cancer
Information about NCI-funded grants, clinical trials, and other programs and initiatives with components that primarily target colorectal cancer.
- Progress in Research on Colorectal Cancers (NCI Women's Health Report FY 2005-2006)
- Colorectal Cancer Research Projects
- SPOREs in Gastrointestinal Cancers (Specialized Programs of Research Excellence)
- Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) (Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences)
Biology and Genetics
Risk Factors
Prevention
- Colorectal Cancer Prevention Programs (Division of Cancer Prevention)
- National Survey of Colorectal Cancer Screening Practices
- Clinical Trials in Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Prognosis
- Clinical Trials in Colorectal Cancer Screening
- Clinical Trials in Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis
- Cancer Biomarkers Research Group (Division of Cancer Prevention)
Treatment
Colorectal Cancers Reports
Reports on progress, gap areas, and recommended future directions in colorectal cancer research.