• Colorectal cancer – cancer of the colon or rectum – is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths (after lung cancer) in the United States and is the third most common type of cancer in men and in women.
  
• In 2005, among Americans, an estimated 145,290 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed and an estimated 56,290 Americans will die from the disease.
  
• Reducing the number of deaths from colorectal cancer depends on detecting and removing precancerous colorectal polyps, as well as detecting and treating the cancer in its early stages. Colorectal cancer can be prevented by removing precancerous polyps or growths, which can be present in the colon for years before invasive cancer develops.
  
• It's estimated that if everybody age 50 or older had regular screening tests, at least one-third of deaths from this cancer could be avoided.
  
• The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with advancing age. More than 90% of cases occur in people who are 50 or older. Other risk factors include:
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps
• Certain hereditary syndromes
  
• Lifestyle factors that may contribute to increased risk of colorectal cancer include:
• Lack of regular physical activity
• Low intake of fruits and vegetables
• A low-fiber and high-fat diet
• Obesity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use

Get more facts about colorectal cancer from the American Cancer Society.