Colorectal Cancer

WHY IS THE IMPACT OF COLORECTAL CANCER IMPORTANT TO people in alberta?

Colorectal cancer is the 4th most common cancer in Alberta.¹ About 2,030 adults were diagnosed in 2015.²

Colorectal cancer is slightly more common in men than women.¹¹
The risk of getting colorectal cancer is low until about age 40.¹¹ Rates for men rise more quickly than for women after that.
Between 1996 and 2015, the rate of new colorectal cancer cases in Alberta stayed about the same. During the same time, the rate of dying from colorectal cancer decreased.^1,2
Better treatments for colorectal cancer played a big role in helping more people survive. Also, more people are being screened through the Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program, so colorectal cancer is being found earlier. Earlier cancer detection allows treatments to work more effectively, so people in Alberta can have better outcomes.

WHAT CAN I DO?

Experts agree that together, we can prevent about 45 out of every 100 cases of colorectal cancer in Alberta.² Here’s how:

Sedentary behaviour is linked to about 7% of new colorectal cancer cases in Alberta.⁶To achieve health benefits, the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology recommends that adults accumulate 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity per week.⁴

Not eating enough vegetables and fruits is linked to about 8% of colorectal cancer cases in Alberta.⁷Canada's Food Guide recommends eating plenty of vegetables and fruits every day.⁸

Eating a lot of red and processed meats is linked to about 10% of new colorectal cancer cases in Alberta.⁹

The World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) recommend eating less than 500 g (18 oz.) of red meat a week³, with little or none of it processed.

Tobacco smoking is linked to about 10% of new colorectal cancer cases in Alberta.¹⁰ Tobacco has cancer-causing toxins (called carcinogens) that damage cells in the colon and rectum. Over time, the damaged cells can turn into cancer. You can lower your risk for colorectal cancer when you quit using tobacco or cut down.