Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 4th most common and 3rd leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide (men and women combined). More than 620,000 people die each year from CRC and the number is growing. CRC is also the most preventable major cancer through screening, yet more than 1.2 million people are diagnosed annually. Despite the cost effectiveness of screening and the availability of proven screening tools, the incidence rate CRC is expected to increase by 33.5% by 2020. The economic burden of CRC is staggering, reported to be in excess of $33,000,000,000 annually. For many already diagnosed with CRC, access to life saving medications and treatments is a challenge. In many countries around the world, there are no CRC screening programs, no access to treatments and no patient voice to effectuate change. Even in developed and developing countries, CRC remains a huge problem. In the US, one-third of the number of people who should be screened are not getting tested and in Europe the problem is far worse. There are 136 million Europeans eligible for CRC screening yet only 12 million have participated. While Europe accounts for only 11% of the world population, it accounts for about one-third of all CRC deaths worldwide. CRC is increasing in economically transitioning countries, including Eastern Europe, most of Asia, and in select countries in South America. CRC incidence rates worldwide have increased in 27 of 51 international cancer registries studied by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Very few other countries have formal screening programs, coverage for testing or awareness programs to educate the public about the disease and how it can be prevented or access to available treatments. Awareness of the disease, its reach, its ability to be prevented, and its treatability if diagnosed early are the keys to changing the global problem of colon cancer.
