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Div. of Media Relations
1600 Clifton Road
MS D-14
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-3286
Fax (404) 639-7394 |
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Fact Sheet
March 14, 2003
Colorectal Cancer Screening
- Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death
for men and women. In 2003, there will be an estimated 147,500 new cases
and 57,100 deaths from colorectal cancer. Of those diagnosed, 93 percent
are aged 50 and older.
- Screening can find colorectal cancer in earlier stages when it can be
treated more successfully. It can also identify pre-cancerous polyps so
that they can be removed before they turn into cancer.
- In 2001, of the 87,729 men and women aged 50 and older who responded
to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the Centers for Disease
Control and Preventions (CDC) national telephone survey, 44.6 percent
reported ever having had a fecal occult blood test (FOBT), and 47.3
percent of respondents reported ever having had a sigmoidoscopy or
colonoscopy.
- For the same year, respondents also reported whether they had received
tests within the recommended time intervals:
- 23.5 percent reported having had an FOBT within the previous year
- 43.4 percent reported having had a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy
within the previous 10 years
- 53.1 percent reported having had either an FOBT within the previous
year and/or a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy within the previous 10 years.
- These rates are slightly higher than in previous years. In comparison,
in 1997, 19.4 percent reported FOBT within 1 year and 29.9 percent
reported sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy within 10 years. In 1999, 20.4
percent reported FOBT within one year and 33.3 percent reported
sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy within 10 years.
- Screening rates varied widely by state. The proportion of people aged
50 and older who reported having had either FOBT within the previous year
or sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy within the previous 10 years ranged from
29.6 percent in Puerto Rico to 65.4 percent in the District of Columbia.
- All men and women aged 50 and older are encouraged to be screened for
colorectal cancer. Medicare has expanded coverage for screening
colonoscopy in addition to the previously covered FOBT and sigmoidoscopy.
- The CDC and its partners are actively promoting widespread colorectal
cancer screening with the Screen for Life: A National Colorectal Cancer
Awareness Campaign (http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/screenforlife),
which encourages people aged 50 or older to speak with their doctor about
colorectal cancer and select the appropriate screening test(s).
# # #
CDC protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling
diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible
information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through
strong partnerships with local, national, and international organizations. |
