South Australian statistics
- Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed among South Australians (males and females combined) and the second most common cause of cancer deaths.
- There were 1,263 cases of colorectal cancer in South Australia in 2007, with 675 among males and 588 among females.
- 422 South Australians died from colorectal cancer during 2007, 234 of these deaths were among males, while 188 were among females.
- The risk of South Australians developing colorectal cancer before the age of 75 is 1 in 20.
- Male colon cancer incidence and mortality rates have been steady over the period 1995-2006.
- While the incidence of colon cancer has increased by 16 per cent over the past three decades, mortality has decreased by 20 per cent for both males and females.
- Rectal cancer incidence increased from the late 70s to mid 90s, but has declined slightly over the past 10 years. Mortality from rectal cancer has decreased for females but not for males.
- Survival from colorectal cancer has improved over the past three decades. The five year survival is about 60 per cent.
- Cancer surveillance by colonoscopy is effective in reducing the risk and severity of colorectal cancer.
- Ten per cent of patients with colorectal cancer have a family history of this cancer among close relatives.
- Genetic testing can now identify the underlying inherited genetic error responsible in a quarter of these families.
- A family history of early-onset colorectal cancer (under 50 years) or relatives with colorectal cancer are important indicators for the need for colorectal cancer surveillance.
Sources:
Major Cancers in South Australia 1977-2005, Cancer Registry SA, The Department of Health; Cancer in South Australia 2007 – with projections to 2010 – published by the Australian Cancer Registry 2010.
Australian statistics
- In 2006, 13,591 Australians were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 3,801 died from the disease.
- The risk of developing colorectal cancer before the age of 75 is 1 in 23 (for all of Australia) and before the age of 85 is 1 in 12.
- Being overweight and obese accounts for about 11 per cent of colon cancers (944 cases in 2005).
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