source: Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland

year: 2007

Colorectal cancer in the United Kingdom Colorectal cancer is the third commonest cause of cancer related death (after breast and lung cancer) in the United Kingdom and the second commonest in non smokers. Around 100 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed each day in the UK. In 2002 there were 34,889 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in the United Kingdom, and approximately 17,000 deaths (CRUK 2006), but there has been a substantial improvement in five year survival, from 22% to 50% over the last 10 years (CRUK 2006). Many patients present with advanced disease; both the Trent/Wales and Wessex audits indicate that over 20% of patients present with distant metastases. This may improve with increased knowledge among the general public about the nature of the disease, its symptoms, and the potential for complete cure if treated early. The launch of the NHS National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in late 2006 should facilitate education of the public and the healthcare community.