Colorectal Cancer By the Numbers

2

Colorectal cancer’s ranking as the cause of cancer death in the United States.

16

Wisconsin’s ranking among states for number of colorectal cancer screenings among the 50-and-older population, or about 64 percent of that population. Delaware ranks first with 71 percent and Oklahoma is last with about 52 percent.

25

The percent of colorectal cancer cases that could be avoided by following a healthy lifestyle, i.e., maintaining a healthy abdominal weight, being physically active at least 30 minutes per day, eating a healthy diet, not smoking, and not drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

50

The age at which you should take colorectal cancer screening seriously because 90 percent of cases occur in people who are 50 years old or older.

90

Percentage of colorectal cancer cases that can be prevented with screening. Despite its high incidence, colorectal cancer is one of the most detectable and treatable cancers (if found early enough).

140,000

Number of Americans diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year.

50,000

Number of Americans who die from colorectal cancer each year.

1,000,000-plus

Number of colorectal cancer survivors in the U.S.

Source: American Cancer Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Colon Cancer Alliance