Background:
For many years colorectal cancer (CRC) has been one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide and is currently the third-leading cause of death among all cancers in the United States. In 2020, the estimated number of new cases of colorectal cancer nationwide is 104,610, while the number of deaths it causes is projected to exceed 50,000. While the overall incidence has been declining in recent decades, the incidence of CRC in patients under the age of 50 years has been steadily increasing since the 1980’s, at a rate of about 2% per year.
Used by permission: Christopher Lieu, MD, University of Colorado Cancer Center