Screening for Colorectal Cancer in the UK: is it Worthwhile?

Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy in the UK, killing about 20,000 people per annum. Colorectal cancer is equally prevalent in men and women, and usually occurs in later life (age 60-70 years). The incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer have remained approximately static for the past forty years, although there are recent trends showing slight declines in the UK and USA.