General Statistics 

• In the U.S., colorectal cancer is responsible for 21.2 deaths per 100,000 people.  
• It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. 
• In 2000, the expected number of cases was 130,200, while the number of deaths was 56,300.

Gender

• The risk for male is greater than that for females: (men = 25.4 deaths per 100,000 people; women = 18.2 deaths per 100,000 people)

Ethnicity

• The highest risk ethnic group is Black or African Americans, while the lowest risk group is American Indian or Alaska natives.  [31]  

Risk Factors

• age
• personal and family history of polyps or colorectal cancer
•  inflammatory bowel disease
•  inherited syndromes
• physical inactivity 
• obesity
• alcohol use, and, 
• a diet high in fat and low in fruits and vegetables.  

Colorectal Cancer and Folic Acid

Supporting evidence for the relationship between cancer and folic acid levels is strongest for colorectal cancer.[1][26] 

While more research is needed, consider the summary below of key studies that provide insight into the relationship between folic acid and colorectal cancer:

·         Large prospective studies at provide evidence that folate intake is associated with decreased risk of colorectal cancer.[27][28] 

·         The Nurses Health Study, a study of over 88,000 women followed over 15 years, has shown that women who took multivitamins containing folic acid for more than five years were 20 percent less likely to develop colorectal cancer, and that women who took multivitamins for more than 15 years were 75 percent less likely to develop colorectal cancer.[29]  

While the evidence that folic acid may help prevent colorectal cancer is growing, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) is waiting for the results of prospective controlled intervention trials that are currently underway before endorsing folic acid for the prevention of colorectal cancer.[30]