Screening, survival and mortality for colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in Europe, with over 432 000 new cases diagnosed each year. By 2020, annual incidence is expected to rise to 502 000 cases (IARC, 2011). The annual incidence rate varies from 21 new cases per 100 000 population in Greece to 64 new cases in the Czech Republic. There are several factors that place certain individuals at increased risk for the disease, including age, the presence of polyps, ulcerative colitis, a diet high in fat and genetic background. Furthermore, males are at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than females (IARC, 2011).