The general population faces a lifetime risk for developing the disease of about 5 percent, while someone whose family has a history of colorectal cancer has a 10 to 15 percent chance of developing the disease. The risk rises to over 50 percent in people with ulcerative colitis and those whose family members harbor specific genetic mutations. In the year 2000, approximately 130,000 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed and 56,000 people will die from the disease. Surpassing both breast cancer and prostate cancer in mortality, colorectal cancer is second only to lung cancer in numbers of deaths in the United States.
Colorectal cancer strikes men and women with almost equal frequency.
In addition, it is often a silent disease, developing with no symptoms at all. If you have any of these symptoms for more than two weeks, see your doctor or health professional immediately. Prevention Polyp-related colorectal cancer can be prevented. Removing these polyps may prevent cancer from developing. A low-fat diet, high in vegetable and fruit intake and regular exercise can also lower your risk of developing colorectal cancer.