STATISTICS

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and third most common cancer in women worldwide.  In Malaysia, it is the second most common cancer; the most common cancer among males and the second among females in Peninsular Malaysia. The majority of colorectal cancer victims are Chinese, followed by Malays and Indians.

• Colorectal cancer is the first most frequent cancers among males and the third most important cancer for women in 2003.  
• The incidence of colorectal cancers has been rising slowly in Malaysia. It is decreasing around 16% cases compare to 2002.
• Changes in the diet, such as an increase in dietary fat, decrease in dietary fiber and overall total energy consumption are thought to pre-dispose people to colorectal cancers.
• In year 2003, Malaysia recorded at least 2552 cases of both colon and rectal cancers among male and female.
• Male recorded for 52.3% (1335 cases) while female recorded 47.7% (1217 cases) both for colon and rectal cancers.
• The incidence of this cancer increased exponentially after age of 40 for both sexes.
• According to National Cancer Registry, Chinese have a highest incidence of colon and rectal cancers, there were 59.8% of cases involved Malaysian Chinese followed by Malay with 34.6% cases and Indian with 5.6% of cases.