Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Deaths due to Colorectal Cancer
Summary Indicator Report Data View Options
Deaths due to Colorectal Cancer by County, New Jersey, 2018-2020
Why Is This Important?
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in New Jersey and the US.
Definition
Deaths with malignant neoplasm (cancer) of the colon, rectum, and anus as the underlying cause of death ICD-10 codes: C18-C21
Data Sources
- Death Certificate Database, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, New Jersey Department of Health
(https://www.nj.gov/health/vital/) - Population Estimates, State Data Center, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
(https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/demographics/population-household-estimates/) - Underlying Cause of Death, CDC WONDER On-line Database, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(https://wonder.cdc.gov/Deaths-by-Underlying-Cause.html)
How the Measure is Calculated
| Numerator: | Number of deaths due to cancer of the colon, rectum, and anus |
| Denominator: | Estimated number of persons in the population |
How Are We Doing?
The age-adjusted death rate due to colorectal cancer decreased 46% between 2000 and 2020 and, by 2013, the original Healthy New Jersey targets for Whites, Blacks, and the total population had been met. By 2020, the revised targets for Whites, Blacks, Asians, and the total population had been achieved. The rate is highest among Blacks, followed in order by Whites, Hispanics, and Asians. The rate is higher among men than among women but the gap is narrowing. County rates ranged from a low of 10 in Morris to a high of 17 in Salem.
How Do We Compare With the U.S.?
The age-adjusted death rate due to colorectal cancer is about the same for New Jersey and the U.S., however New Jersey's rate has been decreasing more quickly.
Evidence-based Practices
Screening can find precancerous polyps (abnormal growths in the colon or rectum) so they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment works best. [https://www.cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer/screening/ ^1^]
Available Services
The New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection (NJCEED) Program provides comprehensive outreach, education and screening services for colorectal cancer. [http://www.nj.gov/health/ces/public/resources/njceed.shtml]
More Resources
CDC Colorectal (Colon) Cancer Info: [https://www.cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer/] National Cancer Institute: [https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal] NJ Cancer Incidence Data: [http://www.nj.gov/health/ces/cancer-researchers/cancer-data/]
Footnote References
1. Screening for Colorectal Cancer [https://www.cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer/screening/]