The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for colorectal cancer in the United States are for 2012:
- About 103,170 new cases of colon cancer
- About 40,290 new cases of rectal cancer
- About 51,690 deaths from colorectal cancer
Not counting skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 20.
The death rate from colorectal cancer has been going down for more than 20 years. One reason is that there are fewer cases. Thanks to colorectal cancer screening, polyps can be found and removed before they turn into cancer. And colorectal cancer can also be found earlier when it is easier to cure. Treatments have improved, too.
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