Statistics of Colorectal Cancer

Executive Summary

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed across the globe. The incidence rates of colorectal cancer decreased by 1% every year from 2013 to 2017. This reduced rate occurs mainly in older adults. The incidence rate increased by 2% every year in adults with age groups below 50 and 1% in adults between 50 and 64 years from 2012 to 2016. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of mortality as per the reports US. Around 55% death rate was estimated in 2018 due to colorectal cancer, which was less in number when compared to the initial estimation in the 1970s. Overall, the death rate decreased by around 2% from 2014 to 2018. However, deaths in adults under age 55 increased by 1% from 2008 to 2017. The 5-year survival rate of individuals with localized stage colorectal cancer is 90%. Around 38% of patients are diagnosed at this early stage. The 5-year survival rate is 72% if cancer spreads to regional lymph nodes and 14% if the cancer is metastasized to other body parts. The overall 5-year survival rate for colon cancer is around 63%, and that of rectal cancer is 67%.

Statistics of Colorectal Cancer

Based on the statistics on colorectal cancer, it is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women each year, excluding skin cancer ^​1​.

Colorectal cancer incidence rates decreased by about 1% each year from 2013 to 2017. However, this drop mainly occurs in older adults, most influenced by the disease. Incidence has been jumping in younger people since the mid-1990s. From 2012 through 2016, incidence increased by 2% each year in adults under 50 and 1% in adults aged 50 to 64. 

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the U.S. for men and women combined. It is the third leading cause of cancer death in women and the third leading cause of death in men ^​2​.

When colorectal cancer is diagnosed early, it is mostly cured. The death rate from this cancer in 2018 was 55% less than in 1970 ^​2​. Because of improvements in treatment and increased screening, it finds colorectal changes before turning cancerous or cancer at earlier stages ^​3​. Overall, the death rate decreased by around 2% from 2014 to 2018. However, deaths in adults under age 55 increased by 1% from 2008 to 2017. 

The 5-year survival rate reveals what percent of people live at least five years after the cancer is found. The 5-year survival rate for people having colorectal cancer is 65% ^​4​.