Atlanta – The rate of colorectal cancer could be significantly reduced if more people were screened for the disease, according to a report released July 5 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest form of cancer in the United States; however, the rate of adults developing and dying from this disease has decreased as the rate of screening has increased.
The rate of new colorectal cancer cases fell to 45.4 per 100,000 in 2007 from 52.3 per 100,000 in 2003. Nearly 32,000 fewer colorectal cancer deaths occurred in that time period. The rate of colorectal screenings increased to 65 percent in 2010 from 52 percent in 2002. The greatest decline in the cancer rate was seen in states with the highest screening prevalence.
About one-third of individuals between 50 and 75 years old are not up to date on their colorectal cancer screenings, which are recommended for men and women beginning at age 50.
