The American Cancer Society, estimates that this year alone, 136,830 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and of those diagnosed, 50,310 will die from the disease.
Although, these numbers may seem high, they are decreasing as the incidence and mortality of colon and rectal cancer is decreasing – in large part due to greater awareness of the disease and increased screening.
However, the decline in incidence and mortality occurred much more slowly for the African-American population. African Americans tend to have the highest mortality rates and lowest survival rates when compared to all other racial groups.
Colorectal cancer rates are 25 percent higher and death rates are 50 percent higher in African Americans than Caucasians. African Americans are also more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease.
These findings have been associated with lower screening rates in minorities, later disease stage at presentation and reduced access to health care. The average lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is about one in 20 (5%).