CDC Vital Signs

Colorectal Cancer

Colon Cancer

22 million adults ages 50-75 still need to be tested

Colorectal cancer screening prevents cancer and saves lives.

• Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum, and is often called simply “colon cancer.” It is the #2 cause of cancer deaths in the United States and kills more nonsmokers than any other cancer. African American men and women are particularly at risk of dying from colon cancer.
• In 2006, more than 139,000 people learned they had colon cancer, and more than 53,000 people died of it.
• At least 6 of every 10 deaths could be prevented from colon cancer if every adult 50 years or older got tested regularly.
• Screening tests can find precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. These growths can be removed before they turn into cancer. In this way, you can prevent colon cancer. The earlier colon cancer is found during a screening, the easier it is to cure.

Breast Cancer

7  million more women need to be screened for breast cancer.

Screening for breast cancer prevents cancer and saves lives.

• Breast cancer is the most common cancer among adult women in the United States and second leading cause of death from cancer among women.
• One of every eight adult women will get breast cancer in her lifetime. The risk of cancer increases with age.
• In 2006, more than 190,000 women were discovered to have breast cancer, and more than 41,000 died of the disease.
• Although white women are more likely to get breast cancer, African American women are the most likely to die of it. Minority women are most likely to have advanced breast cancer when the cancer is first discovered.
• If a close family member (mother, grandmother, sister, and father or brother) has had breast cancer, the risk for other family members getting breast cancer may be higher. If you think you may be at increased risk, ask your doctor if you should be tested earlier or more often than other women.

Source: CDC Vital Signs, July 6, 2010