Notes

This is Healthy New Jersey 2020 (HNJ2020) Objective CA-5. Data for White, Black, and Asian do not include Hispanics. Hispanic ethnicity includes persons of any race. **The number of deaths was too small to calculate a reliable rate.

Definition

Deaths with malignant neoplasm (cancer) of the colon, rectum, and anus as the underlying cause of death ICD-10 codes: C18-C21

Numerator

Number of deaths due to cancer of the colon, rectum, and anus

Denominator

Total number of persons in the population

Healthy People Objective: Reduce the colorectal cancer death rate

U.S. Target: 14.5 deaths per 100,000 population (age-adjusted)
State Target: 12.9 deaths per 100,000 population (age-adjusted)

Other Objectives

'''Revised Healthy New Jersey 2020 Objective CA-5''': Reduce the age-adjusted mortality rate due to colorectal cancer per 100,000 standard population to 12.9 for the total population, 13.4 among Whites, 17.1 among Blacks, 9.5 among Hispanics, and 5.4 among Asians. '''Original Healthy New Jersey 2020 Objective CA-5''': Reduce the age-adjusted mortality rate due to colorectal cancer per 100,000 standard population to 15.8 for the total population, 16.2 among Whites, 20.1 among Blacks, 9.5 among Hispanics, and 5.4 among Asians.

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 often leads to a cure. [https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/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]