Prevalence of Colon Cancer

Colon forms a crucial part of the digestive tract and remains critical in the reabsorption of fluids including water while preparing digestive wastes for elimination from the digestive process. Colon or the colorectal cancer refers to cancer of the large intestines or the rectum. Colon cancer results from an abnormal growth of colon polyps that overtime turn cancerous (CDC, 2020). Despite the existence of appropriate treatment interventions and management of colon cancer, early screening for abnormal colon polyps is critical in ensuring adequate recovery of patients. The occurrence of colon cancer remains largely among the older adults as compared to younger individuals. The occurrence of colon cancer, like other forms of cancer begins as benign clumps within the colon walls. However, over an extended period, some cells turn cancerous leading to increased polyp cells growth along the colon walls (CDC, 2016). Symptoms of colon cancer in most cases are never pronounced hence the need for regular screening. The initial stages of colon cancer are always unnoticed but with appropriate treatment interventions such as radiation, chemotherapy, and surgical interventions, it is possible to regain complete status. The discussions herein focus on the prevalence of colon cancer the US through supported statistical evidence as well as the outline of risk and protective factors. 

Overall prevalence of Colon Cancer in the US 

The US has a population of about 328 million citizens distributed across its 50 states according to the US Census Bureau. With such a significant population, monitoring disease prevalence rates can be a challenge. However, the efficiency of US key epidemiology departments and agencies such as the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services has effectively allowed for appropriate data availability. 

Colon cancer has been categorized as the third commonly diagnosed cancer in the US. Averagely, there are about at least 100000 new cases annually with a lifetime risk of 4.5 percent of developing the condition. The CDC places cancer as the third leading cause of mortality and disability in cancer-related cases in the US (CDC, 2016). The statistic further elaborates that colon cancer commonality between both genders sees it ranked third in cancer-related illnesses in the country. However, colon cancer cases have been documented to be higher among male patients at 42.5 percent compared to 33.2 in female patients. The demographical statistics are further stark across ethnic dimensions with the African-Americans populations recording a higher percentage index per 1000 cases with 42.2 while the Asian communities recording the least prevalence rates at 29.0 per 1000 cases. The number of new cases remains consistent with the racial demographics with African-American population recording a higher index of 49.1 new cases per 100000 people compared to other racial clusters. 

The Overall Prevalence in New York State 

New York State (NY) is among the populous states in the US with a population of about 19.5 million. The State of NY hosts a robust healthcare system that not only meets the national standards but also offers a global premium in terms of capacity and access. As such, cancer screening in NY remains largely available and with a population that is hugely young registers varying prevalence records has been recorded (CDC, 2016). The prevalence case of colon cancer in NY State remains high with the CDC records from the 2016 records marking the state of New York among the leading in cases of colon and other related cancer cases as well as mortality. New York had an age-adjusted prevalence rate at 474.8 per 100000 people with recorded cases at 113, 026 in 2016. The prevalence rates of colon cancer in New York State indicate a high prevalence of the colon cancer cases despite having a higher screening frequency that is above the national average. 

Prevalence of Cancer Based on Age/Race/ Gender 

Colon cancer, just as other non-communicable illnesses have its prevalence rates differed across various clusters especially based on race, age, and gender. Colon cancer prevalence has no difference with the Data from CDC indicating a significant variation in cancer cases based on the three demographic categories (CDC, 2020). The observation from the CDC studies, while cancer has been recorded to affect people regardless of age, gender, or ethnic alignments; the prevalence has shown a contrast across these demographic features based difference in genome composition, hormonal factors, as well as environmental exposures. 

Gender 

The prevalence of colon cancer across gender contrasts the assumptions initially illustrated with men showing a higher prevalence rate of 470.7 per 100000 compared to 412.7 per 100000 in women (CDC, 2016). The table below indicates a gender index that is collective of all races and ages without considering other demographic characterizations. 

Ethnicity 

Race is a significant feature in determine prevalence index. From the CDC data from 2016, the table below indicates the difference ethnic prevalence rates. According to CDC (2016), black population has a higher prevalence index at 436.6 per 100000 compared Asiatic and Indians which have 274.5 and 276.8.. 

Age 

Age as a demographic characterization has a significant influence on the prevalence of cancer with the data indicating a higher prevalence proportionate to age difference (CDC, 2016). Colon cancer as indicated in the graph shows that the cases of colon cancer are higher in older populations compared to younger populations. 

Risk Factors 

References 

CDC. (2016). Leading Cancer Cases and Deaths, Male and Female, 2016 . Retrieved from https://gis.cdc.gov/Cancer/USCS/DataViz.html 

CDC. (2016). Rates of New Cancers . Retrieved from https://gis.cdc.gov/Cancer/USCS/DataViz.html 

CDC. (2016). The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention . Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/publichealthissue/social-ecologicalmodel.html 

CDC. (2020). Colon Cancer . Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/