Important Facts for Colorectal Cancer Deaths

Definition

The rate of death from cancer of the colon or rectum (ICD-10: C18-C21) per 100,000 persons.

Numerator

The number of deaths due to colorectal cancer for a given time period (ICD-10: C18-C21).

Denominator

The population in Utah or the U.S. for a given time period.

Why Is This Important?

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third most common cause of cancer-related death in both men and women in the United States.^1^ The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that routine screening for colorectal cancer begin at age 45 for adults at average risk. Persons at high risk may need to begin screening at a younger age. Routine screening can include either an annual fecal occult blood test (gFOBT or FIT), a flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years, a colonoscopy every 10 years, or a double-contrast barium enema every 5 to 10 years. [[br]] [[br]] ---- 1. American Cancer Society, Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2023-2025 Accessed at: [https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures-2023.pdf].[[br]] 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests [https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/screening/tests.htm#:~:text=How%20often%3A%20Every%2010%20years,increased%20risk%20of%20colorectal%20cancer).].[[br]]

How Are We Doing?

The Utah colorectal cancer mortality rate has decreased significantly, from 17.8 deaths per 100,000 population in the year 2000 to 10.8 deaths per 100,000 population in 2022. Although overall mortality rates have decreased over time, mortality rates vary by age, sex, geography, ethnicity, and race. Looking at data from combined years 2020-2022, rates of colorectal cancer death significantly increase with age for both males and females. Males have higher rates of colorectal cancer deaths than females across all age groups. From 2018 to 2022 combined data, San Juan Local Health District (LHD) had the highest colorectal cancer mortality rate of 16.8 deaths per 100,000 population, while Davis County LHD had the lowest rate with 8.9 deaths per 100,000 population. Other geographical distribution of colorectal cancer deaths can also be viewed in more detail at the Utah Small Area level (see additional data views). For combined years 2018-2022, there was no significant difference in colorectal cancer death rates between those of Hispanic (8.9 deaths per 100,000 population) and non-Hispanic ethnicity (10.7 deaths per 100,000 population). During the same time period, those who identified racially as Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian had significantly higher colorectal cancer death rates (21.4 deaths per 100,000 population) compared to the overall mortality rate in Utah (10.6 deaths per 100,000 population).

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

The Utah colorectal cancer mortality rate has remained slightly lower than the U.S. mortality rate over time. The latest available data estimates from 2021 show the U.S. colorectal cancer death rate to be 13.4 deaths per 100,000 population, compared to 9.7 deaths per 100,000 population in Utah.

What Is Being Done?

Screening for colorectal cancer has recently been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a priority public health issue.

Health Program Information

The mission of the Utah Cancer Coalition is to lower cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality in Utah through collaborative efforts directed toward cancer prevention and control. As a result, they support community-based strategies around food security, healthy neighborhoods, access to health care, and financial toxicity in order to prevent cancer; detect cancer early; and improve the lives of cancer survivors, caregivers, and their families.