Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and the second most common among women in Los Angeles County. Rectal cancer accounts for about 30% of colorectal cancers. Taken separately, rectal cancer alone is the 9th most common cancer for both men and women. Over 1,100 people are newly diagnosed with rectal cancer every year in Los Angeles County. Rectal cancer occurs most frequently in the older population with an incidence rate of 26 per 100,000 for 50-64 year olds and 52 per 100,000 for 65+ year olds. Due to active screening program for those 50 years of age or older, localized disease is more common in the older population, but younger patients are more frequently diagnosed with distant disease for whom screening recommendations are lacking. Incidence of rectal cancer is higher in several Asian Pacific Islander subgroups such as Hawaiian/Samoans and Japanese. Incidence rates of this cancer have steadily declined since 2000, most notably for localized diseases. Non-Hispanic Blacks experience excess burden of rectal cancer as they have highest proportion of distant disease and the highest rate of mortality. Compared to Non-Hispanic Whites, risk of dying for Non-Hispanic Black male patients is 23% higher and for Hawaiian/Samoan male patients is 44% higher. All other Asians/Pacific Islander groups and Hispanics have lower mortality than non-Hispanic Whites. Mortality rates have also declined significantly for those over 65 years of age, but have remained stable for the other age groups. Risk for rectal cancer is increased with an excess weight, sedentary lifestyle, red meat consumption, smoking, and alcohol intake. Those with family history of colon cancer or adenomatous polyps, Lynch syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease are also at elevated risk of colon cancer.

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