Cancer of the colon and rectum is the third most common cancer diagnosed among men and the second most common among women in the SRRHIS region and nationally, with 1,481 invasive cancers reported among men and women during 1991 through 1993. The incidence rate was slightly higher for white men (50.3 per 100,000) than black men (46.8), and considerably lower for both white and black women (white females: 34.3; black females: 35.0; Figure 9). SRRHIS incidence rates were consistently lower than Atlanta or SEER rates for all groups, but especially for the black population.

Colorectal cancers were more frequently diagnosed early in the white population with almost 32 percent localized at diagnosis compared to 26 percent for blacks, and fewer white patients presented with distant disease at diagnosis (Figure 10).

Risk of developing colorectal cancer is associated with diets high in fat and low in fiber. High intake of fruits and vegetables appear to be protective. Other factors thought to be related to reduced risk include physical activity, calcium intake and use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs such as aspirin. (Miller, 93).

Five year relative survival rates for all stages of colorectal cancers is 61 percent. For persons with localized disease at diagnosis the rate is 93 percent (Kosary, 95).