Introduction of regional screening programs should be based upon the coherency of epidemiological data and the selection of specific patient groups. This would have significantly reduced costs and improve medical benefits. The aim of the study was to determine the number of patients with colorectal cancer that underwent surgical treatment and achieving clinical and/or pathological data which would be the basis in planning regional screening programs. The data of 1,770 patients that underwent surgical treatment during 1991-2001, in the province of Lublin was attained from the assessment of questionnaires. The results show an increase in morbidity of colorectal cancer in patients over 50 years old in both sexes, irrespectively to primary tumor localization. In 78% of the patients tumors were localized in the distal region of the splenic flexure of colon. The frequency in occurrence of advanced colorectal cancer, morbidity and peri-operative mortality increased due to the patients older age. The results of this research suggest the need to proceed with screening programs in patients over 50 years old with the use of flexible sigmoidoscopy as a method which diagnoses approximately 80% of colorectal cancers.