Burden of Disease Talking Points Colorectal cancer inflicts a large burden of disease on Americans. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men and women in the United States following lung cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2001, about 135,000 American men and women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and almost 57,000 will die of the disease. Incidence and mortality rates are high for both men and women.
Many women think of colorectal cancer as a man's disease, but it affects both men and women.
Thinking of colorectal cancer as a man's disease may present a barrier for women getting themselves screened. Therefore, it is really important that we get the word out to both men and women that it is a disease that affects them both. Incidence and mortality rates are high for people of all races. Slide Text Description Colorectal cancer inflicts a large burden of disease on Americans. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States.