Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed form of cancer after prostate and lung cancers, for men, and the second most common cancer after breast cancer, for women, across OECD countries (see indicator “Mortality from cancer” in ). There are several factors that place certain individuals at increased risk for the disease, including age, ulcerative colitis, a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, and lifestyle factors such as a diet high in fat and low in fibre, lack of physical activity, obesity, and tobacco and alcohol consumption. Incidence is significantly higher for men than women across countries. Generally, rectal cancer is more difficult to cure than colon cancer due to a higher probability of spreading to other tissue, recurrence and postoperative complications.