Introduction:
March is the month of colorectal awareness. It gathers the colon cancer community, including patients, survivors and health care providers to organize events and to raise awareness about colon cancer and screening methods.
Facts:
- Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer-related death.
- Colorectal cancer affects men and women alike, and people of all races and nationalities.
- Colorectal cancer usually develops slowly over a period of 10 to 15 years.
- Colorectal cancer rates vary according to geographical area, regional and ethnic differences, risk factors and access to screening and treatment.
- Colorectal cancer incidence rates have been declining in the US since the mid of 1980 due to increased awareness and early screening.
- Often, those who are diagnosed with colon cancer have experienced no signs or symptoms associated with the disease.
- In general, the median age of colorectal cancer diagnosis in the U.S. is 68 years and above in men, and 72 years and above in women.
- While most people diagnosed with colorectal cancer have no family history of the disease, those with a family history should begin screening at an earlier age, since they have 2 to 3 times more the risk of developing colorectal cancer compared to those with no family history of the disease.
Statistics:
Globally:
Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer in the world, with an estimated 1.4 million cases in 2012. The highest rate of incidence was in South Korea, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. The lowest incidence was in Africa and South Central Asia. About 55 per cent of colorectal cancer cases occurred in the developed countries. It is the main cause of cancer-related deaths, and that 52% of mortality rate occurred in the underdeveloped countries.
Locally:
Colorectal cancer is the second type of cancer in the Kingdom, according to the Saudi National Cancer Registry in 2013. It is the first cancer in men and second in women. The recorded cases amounted to 1,387 or 11.9%. The median age of incidence is 59 years in men and 56 years in women. The average of cases diagnosed in late stages and associated with the presence of secondary diseases was 64.8%, and the average of cases diagnosed in early stages was 9.4% only, according to the Saudi National Cancer Registry during the period from 2004-2010. The number of cases continue to increase from 647 in 2004 to 907 in 2007 and 1,387 in 2013.
Objectives:
- Raising awareness about the risk factors of the colorectal cancer.
- Highlighting the importance of early detection of the colorectal cancer and ways of prevention.
Official Date:
Globally: March 1st-30th, 2018
Locally: Jumada al-Thani 13th- Rajab 13th, 1439H.
Target Group:
- Colorectal cancer patients and their families.
- Health professionals including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, health educators and others.
- Health associations and organizations.
- The public.
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