N Engl J Med. As with all conditions, we urge you to consult your physician about specific issues regarding yourself or your family.
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States.
It affects both men and women. About 95,000 cases of colon cancer and about 35,000 cases of rectal cancer are diagnosed each year. About 55,000 people die from colorectal cancer in the United States each year. It's been well established that colorectal cancer is more common in some families than others. This is true for colorectal cancer as a single disease, and when it is part of a broader illness.