title: Prevalence of colorectal cancer and survival in patients from the Gampaha District, North Colombo region.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence and survival of colorectal cancer in Sri Lankans has not been previously reported. We did a retrospective and a prospective survey, in the region of North Colombo, Sri Lanka between 1992 and 2004. The aim was to study cancer burden, sites of colorectal cancer and survival after surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of 175 patients with colorectal cancer between 1992 and 1997 in the selected region of were analysed retrospectively. A prospective study was performed in 220 new patients with colorectal cancer between 1996 and 2004. Data evaluated were demographics, tumour stage and survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 1992 and 1997 the crude annual incidence of colorectal cancer was 1.9 per 100,000, which increased over the years. The current national crude annual incidence is 3.2 per 100,000 in women and 4.9 in men. Median age at presentation was 60 years with similar prevalence of cancer in men and women. In the entire group, 28% of cancers were in those less than 50 years old. Survival at 2 and 5 years was 69% and 52%. The majority of cancer related deaths were within the first 2 years after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The burden of colorectal cancer in Sri Lanka is on the rise. Up to a third of cancers occur in those under 50 years, and the majority of cancers are in the rectum or rectosigmoid region. Flexible sigmoidoscopy offers a useful screening tool.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Thamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Perera
authors.forename: Ruwan E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Wijesuriya
authors.forename: P H R
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Suraweera
authors.forename: Kumudu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wijewardene
authors.forename: Sumudu K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kumarage
authors.forename: M H J
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ariyaratne
authors.forename: Kemal I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Deen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000453:epidemiology; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors