Although two thirds of Americans have been screened for colorectal cancer by 2010, approximately 22 million citizens still remain to be screened for this deadly disease.

Presently colorectal cancer is the second largest cause of cancer related deaths in the United States; however if an increased number of people get screened, the mortality rate could be significantly reduced. A new Vital Signs report released on July 5, 2011 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that the number of individuals who develop and die as a result of colorectal cancer has decreased. The research results have been published HERE.

The report has revealed some interesting statistics, such as the change in the overall rate of screening over the years, number of new cases of colorectal cancer and the rate of mortality. The report finds that colorectal cancer screening increased overall from 52% in 2002 to 65% in 2010. Still, about 1 in 3 people between the ages of 50 and 75 are not up to date with recommended colorectal cancer screening.

According to the report, fall in the rate of new cases of colorectal cancer is evident from the fact that the rates were 52.3 per 100,000 in 2003 and only 45.4 per 100,000 in 2007. This translates to about 66,000 fewer cancers in 2007 compared to 2003. A fall in the colorectal cancer death rate was also identified with the death rate being 19.0 per 100,000 in 2003 and 16.7 per 100,000 in 2007 which translates to about 32,000 fewer deaths in 2007 compared to 2003.

The authors of the report state

“The estimated direct medical cost of colorectal cancer was $14 billion in 2010; for each person who died of colorectal cancer in 2006, the lost productivity costs were $15.3 billion, or about $288,468 per person.”

CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., said,

“Colon cancer can be prevented, and we are making progress in getting more people screened. Those who receive these life-saving screening tests can lead longer, healthier and more productive lives. Saving our nation the health care costs associated with treating colon cancer is an additional benefit.”

Beginning at the age of 50, screening is advised for both men and women, using one or a combination of these screenings:

  • Fecal occult blood test (FOBT), done at home every year
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy, done every five years, with FOBT done every three years
  • Colonoscopy, done every 10 years

To find out the number of people aged 50-75 years who were screened for colorectal cancer, the researchers used 2002 – 2010 survey data obtained from the state-level Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Data on the number of new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed during 2003-2007 are from the CDC National Program of Cancer Registries and the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Cancer deaths are based on information from the CDC National Vital Statistics System.

Significant findings include:

  • States with the highest screening rates witnessed larger declines in deaths related to colorectal cancer between 2003 and 2007. Between these years there was an overall decrease in death rates in 49 states and Washington, D.C. Between 2003 and 2007, there was a 3% decline in death rates per year.
  • In 2007, Washington, D.C. reported the highest number of colorectal cancer deaths per 100,000 people (21.1); Montana and Colorado reported the lowest (14.1).
  • Colorectal cancer incidence rates declined significantly in 35 states between 2003 and 2007. The highest number of colorectal cancer cases per 100,000 people was reported in North Dakota (56.9); Utah had the lowest number of cases (34.3).

To help get more people screened:

  • The Affordable Care Act will reduce financial barriers to screening by expanding insurance coverage and eliminating co-payments and deductibles. Other efforts are needed, such as developing systems that identify individuals eligible for cancer screening tests, actively encouraging the use of screening tests, and monitoring participation to improve screening rates.
  • Federal, state and local public health departments can work with the State Primary Care Association or Federally Qualified Health Centers to implement methods for reminding patients and providers about the importance of colorectal cancer screening as recommended by The Guide to Community Preventive Services.
  • The CDC Colorectal Cancer Control Program funds 25 states and four tribal organizations for the use of population-based approaches to increase screening among men and women aged 50 years and older. Population-based approaches include:

    1. Policy and health systems change
    2. Outreach
    3. Case management
    4. Selective provision of direct screening services

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Written by Anne Hudsmith