Debelo črevo in danka sta v zadnjih letih najpogostejše mesto (razen kože), na katerem pri prebivalstvu razvitega sveta, tudi v Sloveniji, nastane ena od rakavih bolezni. Za leto 2008 je ocenjeno, da je za rakom debelega črevesa in danke po svetu zbolelo 1.235.108 ljudi (9,8 % vseh novih primerov raka), umrlo pa 609.051 ljudi. Ocenjujejo, da je v Evropi leta 2008 za rakom debelega črevesa in danke zbolelo 229.229 moških in 203.185 žensk, umrlo pa 110.059 moških in 102.160 žensk. Pri obeh spolih sodi rak debelega črevesa in danke med najpogostejše rakave boleznipri moških je bil z 12,8 % na tretjem mestu (za rakom prostate in pljučnim rakom), pri ženskah pa s 13,1 % na drugem, za rakom dojk. Po podatkih Registra raka Republike Slovenije je leta 2008 pri nas za rakom debelega črevesa in danke zbolelo 1.453 ljudi, od tega 827 moških (83,0/100.000) in 626 žensk (61,0/100.000), umrlo pa 758 bolnic in bolnikov, kar je 13 % vseh smrti zaradi raka. Največ rakov je vzniknilo na debelem črevesu (57 %), 9 % na rektosigmoidni zvezi, 44 % pa jih je nastalo v danki. Incidenca se veča od sredine 50. let prejšnjega stoletja, strmeje v zadnjih dvajsetih letih. Petletno relativno preživetje se postopno izboljšuje zaradi večjega odstotnega deleža zdravljenih bolnikov, izboljšanja operacijske tehnike in več sistemskega zdravljenja, bolezen pa je še vedno pri preveč primerih odkrita v napredovali obliki. V preventivi raka debelega črevesa je najpomembnejši zdrav življenjski slog z vzdrževanjem normalne telesne teže, z nekajenjem, zdravo prehrano in telesno dejavnostjo. K odkrivanju bolezni v začetnem stadiju oz. odstranitvi predrakavih sprememb pa bo največ prispevalo organizirano populacijsko presejanje prebivalcev v programu Svit.In the recent years, colon and rectum have become the most common sites (apart from skin) where the population of the developed world, and also in Slovenia, develops one of the cancer diseases. In 2008, it was estimated that 1,235,108 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer around the world (9.8% of all new cancer cases), and 609,051 died of the disease. It was estimated that in Europe in 2008, 229,229 men and 203,185 women were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and 110,059 men and 102,160 died of it. In both genders, colorectal cancer represents one of the most common cancer diseasesin men, it was in third place with 12.8% (after prostate and lung cancers), and in women, it was in second place with 13.1%, right after breast cancer. According to the data of the Cancer Registry of the Republic of Slovenia, 1,453 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2008, of which 827 were men (83.0/100,000) and 626 were women (61.0/100,000), and 758 patients died from that disease, which is 13% of all cancer deaths. Most cancers were found in the colon (57%), 9% were located in the rectosigmoid area, and 44% were developed in the rectum. The incidence has been increasing since the middle of the 1950s, and even more rapidly in the last 20 years. The five-year relative survival is improving gradually due to a higher percentage of treated patients, improved surgical techniques and systemic treatment, but in too many cases, the disease is still diagnosed at an advanced stage. A healthy lifestyle, maintenance of a normal weight, non-smoking, healthy nutrition and physical activities are the most important factors in the prevention of colorectal cancer. In addition, organised population-based screening under the Screening for Colorectal Cancer (SVIT) will contribute the most to the detection of the disease at an early stage and eradication of pre-cancerous lesions
