Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Epidemiology and Burden of Rectal Cancer

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Modern Management of Cancer of the Rectum

Abstract

Rectal cancer is common and is associated with a significant economic burden. The incidence of rectal cancer has geographical variation based on access to care and risk factors. Causal factors such as the patient’s age, personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, cancer or polyps and family history of cancer are not modifiable. However, the Western style of diet, limited physical activity and the use of alcohol and tobacco have been causally associated with the development of colorectal cancer and can be altered. Fortunately, the vast majority of cases and deaths from colorectal cancer can be prevented by applying existing knowledge about cancer prevention. Appropriate dietary changes, regular physical activity and maintenance of healthy weight, together with targeted screening programs and early therapeutic intervention could, in time, substantially reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with colorectal cancer.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 179.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. World Health Organization. Cancer incidence in five continents. Lyon: The World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  2. World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research. Food, nutrition, physical activity, and the prevention of cancer: a global perspective. Washington, DC: American Institute for Cancer Research; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Fatima A, Haggar FA, Boushey RP. Colorectal cancer epidemiology: incidence, mortality, survival and risk factors. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2009;22:191–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. What are the key statistics about colorectal cancer? 14 Mar. 2014 http://www.cancer.org/cancer/colonandrectumcancer/detailedguide/colorectal-cancer-keystatistics.

  5. Colorectal Cancer Screening* Prevalence (%) among Adults 50 Years and Older by State, 2006–2008. 14 Mar 2014. http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-028323.pdf.

  6. Boyle P, Langman JS. ABC of colorectal cancer: epidemiology. BMJ. 2000;321:805–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Wilmink ABM. Overview of the epidemiology of colorectal cancer. Dis Colon Rectum. 1997;40:483–93.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Jemal A, et al. Annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, 1975–2005, featuring trends in lung cancer, tobacco use, and tobacco control. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008;100(23):1672–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Jackson-Thompson J, et al. Descriptive epidemiology of colorectal cancer in the United States, 1998–2001. Cancer. 2006;107(S5):1103–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. American Cancer Society. Cancer facts & figures for African Americans 2009–2010. 2009. [cited; Available from: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/STT/stt_0.asp14 March 2014.

  11. Jemal A, Clegg LX, Ward E. Annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, 1975–2001, with a special feature regarding survival. Cancer. 2004;101:3–27.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Fairley TL, Cardinez CJ, Martin J. Colorectal cancer in United States adults younger than 50 years of age, 1998–2001. Cancer. 2006;107(S5):1153–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Labianca R, et al. Colorectal cancer: screening. Ann Oncol. 2006;16 Suppl 2:ii127–32.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Colorectal Cancer Screening* Prevalence (%) among Adults Age 50 Years and Older by State, 2012. 6 October 2014. http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-028323.pdf.

  15. Boyle P, Ferlay J. Mortality and survival in breast and colorectal cancer. Nat Clin Pract Oncol. 2005;2:424–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Ries LAG, et al. SEER cancer statistics review, 1975–2005. Bethesda: National Cancer Institute; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  17. National Institutes of Health. What you need to know about cancer of the colon and rectum. u.S. Department of Health and Human Services & National Institutes of Health; 2006. 14 Mar 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  18. American Cancer Society. Colorectal cancer facts &figures special edition 2005. 2005 [cited; Available from: http://www.cancer.orgldocroot/STT/stt_O.asp/ 14 Mar 2014

  19. O’Connell JB, et al. Rates of colon and rectal cancers are increasing in young adults. Am Surg. 2003;69:866–72.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. O’Connell JB, et al. Colorectal cancer in the young. Am J Surg. 2004;187:343–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. de Jong AE, et al. Prevalence of adenomas among young individuals at average risk for colorectal cancer. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005;100(1):139–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Davies RJ, Miller R, Coleman N. Colorectal cancer screening: prospects for molecular stool analysis. Nat Rev Cancer. 2008;5:199–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Grande M, et al. Evaluation of clinical, laboratory and morphologic prognostic factors in colon cancer. World J Surg Oncol. 2008;6.

    Google Scholar 

  24. DeVita Jr VT, et al. Cancer of the colon and rectum. In: Cancer: principles & practice of oncology. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2001. p. 1216–71.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Boardman LA, et al. Colorectal cancer risks in relatives of young-onset cases: is risk the same across all first-degree relatives? Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007;5(10):1195–8.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Papadopoulos N, et al. Mutation of a mutL homolog in hereditary colon cancer. Science. 1994;263(5153):1625–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Jeter JM, Kohlmann W, Gruber SB. Genetics of colorectal cancer. Oncology (Williston Park). 2006;20(3):269–76.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Ai-Sukhni W, Aronson M, Gallinger S. Hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes: familial adenomatous polyposis and Lynch syndrome. Surg Clin North Am. 2008;88(4):819–+.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Johnson T, Lund EK. Review article: nutrition, obesity and colorectal cancer. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2007;26(2):161–81.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Willett WC. Diet and cancer: an evolving picture. JAMA. 2005;293:233–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Larsson SC, Wolk A. Meat consumption and risk of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of prospective studies. Int J Cancer. 2006;119(11):2657–64.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Santarelli RL, Pierre F, Corpet DE. Processed meat and colorectal cancer: a review of epidemiologic and experimental evidence. Nutr Cancer. 2008;60(2):131–44.

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Kabat GC, et al. A cohort study of dietary iron and heme iron intake and risk of colorectal cancer in women. Br J Cancer. 2007;97(1):118–22.

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Sinha R. An epidemiologic approach to studying heterocyclic amines. Mutat Res. 2002;506–507:197–204.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Lee KJ, et al. Physical activity and risk of colorectal cancer in Japanese men and women: the Japan Public Health Center-based prospective Study. Cancer Causes Control. 2007;18(2):199–209.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Bazensky I, Shoobridge-Moran C, Yoder LH. Colorectal cancer: an overview of the epidemiology, risk factors, symptoms, and screening guidelines. Medsurg Nurs. 2007; 16:46–51.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Campbell PT, et al. Excess body weight and colorectal cancer risk in Canada: associations in subgroups of clinically defined familial risk of cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2007;16(9):1735–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Zisman AL, et al. Associations between the age at diagnosis and location of colorectal cancer and the use of alcohol and tobacco. Arch Intern Med. 2006;166:629–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Botteri E, et al. Cigarette smoking and adenomatous polyps: a meta-analysis. Gastroenterology. 2008;134(2):388–95.e3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Tsong WH, et al. Cigarettes and alcohol in relation to colorectal cancer: the Singapore Chinese Health Study. Br J Cancer. 2007;96(5):821–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Poschl G, Seitz HK. Alcohol and cancer. Alcohol Alcohol. 2004;39(3):155–65.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Lang K, Lines LM, Lee DW, Korn JR, Earle CC, Menzin J. Lifetime and treatment-phase costs associated with colorectal cancer: evidence from SEER-Medicare data. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009;7:198–204.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Haug U, Engel S, Verheyen F, Linder R. Estimating colorectal cancer treatment costs: a pragmatic approach exemplified by health insurance data from Germany. PLoS One. 2014;19:e88407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Colon and Rectal Surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA, 70121, USA

    David E. Beck MD, FACS, FASCRS

Authors
  1. David E. Beck MD, FACS, FASCRS
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David E. Beck MD, FACS, FASCRS .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Colon and Rectal Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    Walter E. Longo

  2. Colon and Rectal Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    Vikram Reddy

  3. University of Liverpool St Helens Teaching Hospital, St Helens, United Kingdom

    Riccardo A. Audisio

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer-Verlag London

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Beck, D.E. (2015). Epidemiology and Burden of Rectal Cancer. In: Longo, W., Reddy, V., Audisio, R. (eds) Modern Management of Cancer of the Rectum. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6609-2_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6609-2_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-6608-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-6609-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation