Introduction
Cancer of colon, rectum and anus (colorectal cancer) is a malignant neoplasm affecting the lower gastrointestinal tract. Colorectal cancer is the second commonest cancer in Hong Kong. It accounted for 16.4% of all cancer new cases in 2008.
New cases
There were 4 031 new cases of colorectal cancer in 2008, with 2 267 cases of males and 1 764 cases of females. The male to female ratio was about 1.3 to 1. The crude incidence rates were 68.7 for male and 47.9 for female per 100 000 population of respective sex. The age-standardized incidence rates were 45.8 for male and 30.5 for female per 100 000 standard population. In the past two decades, the age-standardized incidence rate for both sexes had an upward trend.
Number of new cases and crude incidence rate of
malignant neoplasm of colon, rectum and anus by sex, 1983-2000
Number of new cases and crude incidence rate of malignant
neoplasm of colon, rectum and anus by sex, 2001-2008
Age-standardized incidence rate* of malignant neoplasm
of colon, rectum and anus by sex, 1983-2000
Age-standardized incidence rate* of malignant neoplasm
of colon, rectum and anus by sex, 2001-2008
Notes: |
* |
Age-standardized incidence rates are compiled based on a new world standard population specified in GPE Discussion Paper Series: No.31, EIP/GPE/EBD, World Health Organization, 2001.
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Data in the above charts from 1996 onwards are compiled based on the population estimates under the "resident population" approach instead of the "extended de facto" approach. Also, the Population By-census conducted in July to August 2006 provides a benchmark for revising the population estimates compiled since the 2001 Population Census.
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Figures from 2001 onwards are compiled based on ICD-10 and thus may not be comparable with figures for previous years compiled based on ICD-9. |
Sources: |
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Census and Statistics Department
Department of Health
Hong Kong Cancer Registry, Hospital Authority |
Mortality
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in males and second leading cause of cancer deaths in females in Hong Kong. In 2009, 1 752 deaths were caused by colorectal cancer, accounting for 13.6% of all cancer deaths. The crude death rates were 30.3 for male and 20.3 for female per 100 000 population of respective sex. The age-standardized death rates were 19.1 for male and 11.5 for female per 100 000 standard population. In the past 29 years, the age-standardized death rate for both sexes had an upward trend.
Number of registered deaths and crude death rate of
malignant neoplasm of colon, rectum and anus by sex, 1981-2000
Number of registered deaths and crude death rate of
malignant neoplasm of colon, rectum and anus by sex, 2001-2009
Age-standardized death rate* of malignant neoplasm
of colon, rectum and anus by sex, 1981-2000
Age-standardized death rate* of malignant neoplasm
of colon, rectum and anus by sex, 2001-2009
Notes: |
* |
Age-standardized death rates are compiled based on a new world standard population specified in GPE Discussion Paper Series: No.31, EIP/GPE/EBD, World Health Organization, 2001. |
|
|
Data in the above charts from 1996 onwards are compiled based on the population estimates under the "resident population" approach instead of the "extended de facto" approach. Also, the Population By-census conducted in July to August 2006 provides a benchmark for revising the population estimates compiled since the 2001 Population Census.
|
|
|
Figures from 2001 onwards are compiled based on ICD-10 and thus may not be comparable with figures for previous years compiled based on ICD-9. |
Sources: |
|
Census and Statistics Department
Department of Health |
Classification of diseases and causes of death is based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) 10th Revision from 2001 onwards. Figures from 2001 onwards may not be comparable with figures for previous years which were compiled based on the ICD 9th Revision. Hence, caution should be exercised when interpreting the trend of diseases across 2000 and 2001.
Colorectal cancer corresponds to codes 153-154 in ICD-9 and C18-C21 in ICD-10.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of colorectal cancer include change in bowel habit (diarrhoea, constipation, etc.), blood or copious mucus in stool, vomiting, anaemia and weight loss.
Risk factors
Colorectal cancer is associated with a diet
low in dietary fibre, high in red and processed meat. Other risk factors include
physical inactivity,
obesity or higher
level of abdominal fatness, alcohol
consumption, some chronic intestinal disorders (e.g., ulcerative colitis)
and hereditary bowel diseases (e.g., familial adenomatous polyposis). Besides,
smoking
is also associated with a higher risk of developing rectal cancer.
Prevention
You can reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by increasing intake of dietary fibre (e.g. fibre from fruits and vegetables), decreasing consumption of red and processed meat, increasing physical activities, maintaining healthy body weight, avoiding or quitting tobacco smoking and avoiding or limiting consumption of alcoholic drinks. Seek medical advice early if you develop symptoms of colorectal cancer. The cancer in its early stage has a relatively high cure rate.
Related information
The Cancer Expert Working Group on Cancer Prevention and Screening under the Cancer Coordinating Committee provides recommendations on preventive measures and screening of major cancers based on a standardised review of scientific evidence. To view the information, please click the following link.
The Department of Health provides Smoking Cessation Services for smokers including Smoking Cessation Hotline and Smoking Cessation Programme. To know more on harmful effects of smoking and tobacco control in Hong Kong, please visit the website of our Tobacco Control Office.
For further information on healthy lifestyle, please visit the website of the Health Zone and Men's Health Programme.
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