Risk factors and survival from colorectal cancer in black patients in Soweto, South Africa.

In Africa, while colorectal cancer is very uncommon in the black population, it is rising in urban dwellers. A series of 42 patients treated at Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto, were compared with 92 controls. Average age of patients was relatively low 55 years. 73 per cent presented late with far advanced disease at Stages C and D. No familial component was apparent. Patient's years of schooling and social class were non-revealing compared with data on controls. Dietarily, the same applied to fat intake (relatively low) and fibre intake (considerably decreased). Median survival time was short, 7.5 months.