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Notice to Readers: National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month ---
March 2007
Colorectal cancer (i.e., cancer of the colon or rectum) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the
United States. In 2003 (the most recent year for which data are available), 55,783 adults died of colorectal cancer (27,990 men
and 27,793 women) in the United States, according to ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø's
U.S. Cancer Statistics: 2003 Incidence and Mortality
report (1). In 2003, colorectal cancer, the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, was diagnosed in 143,945
adults (73,182 men and 70,763 women) (1). An estimated 50%--60% of colorectal cancer deaths would be prevented if all
adults aged >50 years were routinely screened
(2). However, approximately one half of U.S. residents at average risk in that age
group have not been screened for colorectal cancer, according to national guidelines
(3).
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø conducts research, monitors national data, and
supports various programs to promote increased screening for this largely preventable disease. Among programs to increase
screening rates for colorectal cancer, ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø has implemented a colorectal cancer screening demonstration program to provide
screening and diagnostic follow-up to low-income and underinsured or uninsured populations. The demonstration program currently
is conducted at five sites in the United States. In addition, ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø educates the public about the benefits of colorectal
cancer screening through its multiyear, multimedia Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign.
Additional information is available at
.
References
US Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 2003 incidence and mortality (preliminary data). Atlanta, GA: Department
of Health and Human Services, ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø, National Cancer Institute; 2006.
Guide to clinical preventive services, 2005: recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. AHRQ Publication No. 05-0570,
June 2005. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Available at
.
Meissner HI, Breen N, Klabunde CN, Vernon SW. Patterns of colorectal cancer screening uptake among men and women in the United
States. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15:389--94.
Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services.References to non-ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø sites on the Internet are
provided as a service to MMWR readers and do not constitute or imply
endorsement of these organizations or their programs by ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø or the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. ÐÇ¿ÕÓéÀÖ¹ÙÍø is not responsible for the content
of pages found at these sites. URL addresses listed in MMWR were current as of
the date of publication.
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