| Demographic Group: | All resident persons. |
| Numerator: | Incident cases of cancer with an International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-O-2 or ICD-O-3 (for cases diagnosed after January 1, 2001) codes C18–C20, C26.0 and behavior >= 3 (malignant, primary site, excluding histologic types M9590–M9989) among residents during a calendar year. |
| Denominator: | Midyear resident population for the same calendar year. |
| Measures of Frequency: | Annual number of incident cases. Annual incidence — crude and age-adjusted (standardized by the direct method to the year 2000 standard U.S. population based on single years of age from the Census P25-1130 series estimates*) — with 95% confidence interval. |
| Time Period of Case Definition: | Calendar year. |
| Background: | During 2001, cancer of the colon and rectum caused approximately 56,700 deaths and was the second most common cause of cancer death. In 2003, approximately 148,000 new cases were diagnosed. The incidence of colon and rectum cancer rises sharply after age 50 years. |
| Significance: | Early detection with fecal occult blood testing and sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy, treatment of precancerous lesions, and treatment in the early stages of cancer decrease mortality from colon and rectum cancer. Comparison of rates by stage at diagnosis can be used to measure the effectiveness and coverage of screening programs. Physical activity, healthy diet, and avoidance of overweight might reduce risk. |
| Limitations of Indicator: | Because colon and rectum cancer has a long latency period, years might pass before changes in behavior or clinical practice patterns affect the incidence rate for these cancers. If interventions increase screening rates, a transient increase in the incidence rate might be observed. |
| Data Resources: | Cancer incidence data from statewide central cancer registries (numerator) and population estimates from the U.S. Bureau of the Census or suitable alternative (denominator).
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/uscs/Table.aspx?Group=TableGeo&Year=2001&Display=n |
| Limitations of Data Resources: | Data from certain existing statewide central cancer registries do not yet meet standards for data completeness and quality. Certain newly established state registries have not yet begun to produce surveillance data. Therefore, nationwide estimates calculated from aggregated state data might not include data from each state. However, state registry data should accurately represent state cancer incidence in the majority of states, particularly where completeness and quality of registry data are high. |
| Healthy People 2010 Objectives: | No objective. |
