Colorectal cancer starts in the cell tissues of the colon or the rectum, which form the large intestine, the longest part and the end part, respectively.

Adenocarcinomas account for 90 to 95% of all large bowel cancers, including the large intestine. They originate in the mucosa from a benign growth or polyp (adenoma).

It has been estimated that for the year 2011, 22,200 new colorectal cancer diagnoses would be made in Canada and 8,900 Canadians would die from the disease, 56% men for 44% women. One in 13 Canadian men and one in 16 Canadian women are expected to develop colorectal cancer during their lifetime. Based on recent statistics, one in 28 Canadian men and one in 32 Canadian women will die of it.

Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest type of cancer amongst Canadians, men and women combined. The relative 5-year survival rate for colorectal cancer in Canada is estimated at 63%.

This section is still in construction. Please come back shortly for a more complete description of the disease. 

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