Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in either the colon or the rectum. Colon cancer and rectal cancer have many features in common. Colorectal cancer is the third-most commonly diagnosed cancer among both males and females in Indiana, as well as the United States overall. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among males, and the third leading cause of cancer-related death among females in Indiana. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that 3,310 Indiana residents will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 1,160 will die from it in 2021.1 The lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is one in 25 for women and one in 23 for men.1 In Indiana, African Americans have higher colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates than whites, and men have higher incidence and mortality rates than women. During 2013- 2017, 89.7 percent of Indiana residents diagnosed with colorectal cancer were age 50 and older. In addition, during 2013 to 2017, colorectal cancer incidence rates were 26.3 percent higher among Indiana males compared to females (49.1 versus 37.7 cases per 100,000 people, respectively).2 Despite the ongoing decrease in incidence and mortality, there is a concerning trend of increased incidence in individuals younger than age 50.1
Resources
- Colorectal Cancer Fact Sheet — Use this fact sheet to educate your partners and communities. The fact sheet provides information and statistics on the colorectal cancer burden in Indiana.
- Social Media Toolkit for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (March) — This tool kit is designed to strengthen communication efforts and contains evidence-informed communication strategies.
- Indiana Cancer Facts and Figures: 6th Edition — Provides current statistics and information on colorectal cancer in Indiana in convenient PDF form. This can be linked to documents, websites, presentations, or through social media.
- Indiana Cancer Control Plan 2021 – 2022 — Provides a roadmap for cancer control in Indiana. The ICCP includes six focus areas: primary prevention, early detection, treatment, quality of life, data, and advocacy. This can be linked to documents, websites, presentations, or through social media.
Additional and online resources:
- Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign
- Fight Colorectal Cancer
- Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities
- American Cancer Society
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
- National Cancer Institute
- National Cancer Survivorship Resource Center
- National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
- The Patient Advocate Foundation
References
- American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2021. Atlanta, GA. 2021.
- Indiana State Cancer Registry, 2021.