25
Colon and Rectum
Summary
Male
Female
Utah
1996-2000
US
1996-99
Utah
1996-2000
US
1996-99
Average annual age-adjusted incidence rates*
50.5
65.6
38.5
47.7
Rank among cancer incidence rates
2
3
2
3
Average annual number of new cases
326
73,200
312
73,220
Percent of all new cancer cases
9.9 %
11.3 %
10.8 %
11.6 %
* Rates per 100,000 and standardized to the 2000 U.S. population
Lifetime risk of cancer (00-79 years)
1 in 21
1 in 16
1 in 28
1 in 22
Average annual age-adjusted mortality rates*
19.6
26.0
15.3
18.3
Rank among cancer mortality rates
3
3
3
3
Average annual of deaths
117
28,100
124
28,811
Percent of all cancer deaths
9.8 %
9.9 %
11.6 %
11.1 %
Colon and Rectum
Cancer in Utah
Incidence rates for colorectal cancer vary widely throughout the world, with relatively
high rates in North America and Western Europe, and low rates in Eastern Europe, Asia,
and Africa. Environmental factors are thought to be responsible for the large international
variation in rates.
Evidence for environmental causation comes from studies of migrants, who quickly
acquire the risk for colorectal cancer in their adopted homelands. Numerous dietary factors
have been associated with the occurrence of colorectal cancer. Diets high in meat and fat
have been associated with an increased risk of the disease. Conversely, diets high in fiber,
fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grain products are associated with a lower risk of the
disease. There is also evidence that physically active individuals may be at lower risk for
colorectal cancer than sedentary individuals.
Genetic factors clearly predispose some individuals to develop colorectal cancer.
Individuals with inherited syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis coloni (FAP)
are at particularly high risk of the disease. Still, the majority of colorectal cancers in the
population are unrelated to such syndromes.
The specific dietary constituents that alter risk of colorectal cancer