| [ Summary ] |
Colorectal cancer is the second and the third type of cancer respectively in terms of incidence and mortality. The lifetime probability of developing colorectal cancer is estimated to be 8 % in men and 6 % in women. Although the numbers and crude rates of colorectal cancer patients and deaths are steadily increasing, the age-adjusted rates of incidence and mortality have been leveling off or decreasing since the mid 1990's. It is noteworthy that these trends are in parallel with increased intake of total energy and total fat over the past twenty years. Mortality rates in Japan tend to be higher in northeastern regions and lower in the south. The incidence of colorectal cancer is known to be notably higher in Japanese immigrants to the US. Recent rates of colorectal cancer in Japan are among the highest in the world. |