Introduction:
In February 2000, March named as the month of colorectal awareness. Since then, it has become a time for the colon cancer community to gather including patients, survivors and health care providers to hold events, raise awareness about colon cancer, screening methods and much more.
Key Facts:
- Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer, and the second leading cause of death from cancer.
- Colorectal cancer affects men and women equally, and people of all races and nationalities.
- Colorectal cancer usually develops slowly over a period of 10 to 15 years
- Colorectal cancer rates vary widely by geographic area. Contributing factors include regional variations in risk factors and access to screening and treatment.
- Colorectal cancer incidence rates have been declining in the US since the mid-1980s, due to increased awareness and screening.
- Often, those who are diagnosed with colon cancer have experienced no signs or symptoms associated with the disease.
- The median age of colorectal cancer diagnosis overall in the U.S. is 68 years in men and 72 years in women.
- While most people diagnosed with colorectal cancer have no family history of the disease, those with a family history should begin screening at an earlier age, since they have 2 or 3 times the risk of developing colorectal cancer compared to those with no family history of the disease.
Statistics:
- Globally:
Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer in the world, with an estimated 1.4 million cases in 2012. The highest rate of incidence was in South Korea, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. The lowest incidence was in Africa and South Central Asia. About 55 per cent of colorectal cancer cases occurred in the developed countries. It the main cause of cancer deaths and that 52% of mortality rate occurred in the underdeveloped countries.
- Locally:
Colorectal cancer is the second type of cancer in the Kingdom, according to the Saudi National Cancer Registry in 2013. It is the first cancer in men and second in women, and the recorded cases amounted to 1,387 or 11.9%. The median age of incidence is 59 years in men and 56 years in women. The average of cases diagnosed in late stages and associated with the presence of secondary diseases was 64.8%, and the average of cases diagnosed in early stages was 9.4% only, according to the Saudi National Cancer Registry during the period from 2004-2010. The number of cases continue to increase from 647 in 2004 to 907 in 2007 and 1,387 in 2013.
Objectives of the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month:
- Raising awareness about the risk factors of the colorectal cancer.
- Highlighting the importance of early detection of the colorectal cancer and ways of prevention.
Official Date:
- Globally: February 28th – March 30th, 2017
- Locally: Jumada al-Akhira 2nd – Rajab 3rd, 1438H
Targeted Groups:
- Colorectal cancer patients and their families.
- Health staff including physicians, nurses, health educators and others.
- Health associations and societies.
- Society as a whole.
Related links:
- Coloncancercoalition.org
- Ccalliance.org
- WHO
- National Cancer Registry, 2001 - 2011
For more information,
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