Last Updated on November 26, 2025 by Bilal Hasdemir

Colorectal cancer is a common cancer worldwide. The American Cancer Society says there will be about 107,320 new cases of colon cancer and 46,950 new cases of rectal cancer in the US in 2025.

This means a lot of new cases and deaths. It’s key to know how common is colorectal cancer. With 154,270 new cases and 52,900 deaths expected in 2025, staying updated is vital.

Key Takeaways

• Approximately 107,320 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed in the US in 2025.
• 46,950 new cases of rectal cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the US in 2025.
• Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide.
• The estimated number of new cases and deaths in 2025 is significant.
• Understanding colorectal cancer statistics is key for patients and healthcare providers.

Colorectal Cancer Overview: Essential Facts

Colorectal cancer includes both colon and rectal cancer. It’s a big health problem that we need to understand well. It happens in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum, which are part of our digestive system.

Definition and Types

Colorectal cancer starts as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum, called a polyp. Some polyps can turn into cancer over time. There are different kinds of polyps, but adenomatous polyps are the most common to become cancerous.

The most common type of colorectal cancer is adenocarcinoma. It makes up about 96% of all colorectal cancers.

Other types of colorectal cancer include:

• Lymphoma: Cancer that starts in the immune cells of the lymph system.
• Carcinoid tumors: Slow-growing tumors that usually start in the lining of the digestive tract.
• Sarcoma: Cancer that starts in the connective tissues of the body.

Anatomical Distribution

Colorectal cancer can happen in different parts of the colon or rectum. The anatomical distribution shows where the cancer is in the colorectal area. Most colorectal cancers happen in the colon, mainly in the sigmoid colon and the rectum.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, after skin cancers. This shows how important it is to know about colorectal cancer odds and how common colon cancer is.

Knowing about colorectal cancer helps us understand its impact on health. It’s key to raising awareness and screening for this disease.

How Common is Colorectal Cancer: Global and US Perspective

Colorectal cancer is a big health problem worldwide. It affects millions of people every year. The situation is complex, with different rates and risk factors.

Worldwide Prevalence Rates

Colorectal cancer is a top cancer globally. It’s the third most common, with about 1.8 million new cases each year. Men have a 1 in 24 chance, and women a 1 in 26 chance of getting it.

“The global burden of colorectal cancer is substantial, with significant variations in incidence rates across different regions and countries.”

High rates are seen in developed countries like North America, Europe, and Australia. Diet, lifestyle, and screening play big roles in these differences.

US Incidence Statistics

In the US, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer for both men and women. The American Cancer Society says there are about 150,000 new cases each year. This means about one in 24 people will get it over their lifetime.

The risk in the US is 1 in 24 for men and 1 in 26 for women. This risk comes from genetics, environment, and lifestyle.

Knowing these colon cancer statistics helps in fighting colorectal cancer. It’s key for public health efforts to lower its incidence and death rates.

Demographic Patterns in Colorectal Cancer Occurrence

Colorectal cancer happens more in some groups than others. This shows we need to focus our prevention efforts. Knowing who is at higher risk helps us create better screening plans.

Age-Related Incidence

Age is a big factor in getting colorectal cancer. Most cases are found in people over 50. Thanks to more screening, cases in this age group have gone down by 1% each year.

But, cases in younger people are going up. Rates in those under 50 have risen by more than 2% each year. This change means we need to rethink our screening advice and reach out to younger folks.

The shift in incidence patterns across age groups highlights the need for revised screening guidelines and increased awareness among younger populations. As people get older, the risk of colorectal cancer goes up. So, it’s key to focus on screening strategies based on age.

Gender Disparities

Men are slightly more likely to get colorectal cancer than women. Men have a 1 in 24 chance, while women have a 1 in 26 chance. These gender disparities in colorectal cancer odds could be due to lifestyle, genetics, and hormones.

It’s important to understand these differences to tailor prevention and screening. For example, men might need to be screened more often because of their higher risk. Also, campaigns can target high-risk groups to lower cancer rates.

Looking at who gets colorectal cancer helps doctors understand the chances of colon cancer in different groups. This knowledge helps them create targeted plans to fight the disease.

Colorectal Cancer Odds: Understanding Your Risk

Many things can affect your chance of getting colorectal cancer. It’s important to know these factors to understand your risk.

Lifetime Risk Calculations

The lifetime risk of colorectal cancer gives a glimpse into your chances of getting it. Studies show men have a 4.4% risk and women have a 4.1% risk in the U.S. But, your risk can change based on your family history, lifestyle, and genes.

Lifetime risk calculations help us see how common colorectal cancer is. They help find who’s at higher risk and guide screening plans.

How Rare is Colon Cancer in Different Age Groups

Colon cancer is not common in young people. But, it becomes more common after 50. Most cases are found in people over 65. The American Cancer Society says the average age of diagnosis is 68.

The table below shows how colon cancer rates change with age:

Age Group	Incidence Rate per 100,000
20-49	12.4
50-64	94.6
65+	233.8

Factors That Modify Risk

Many things can change your risk of getting colorectal cancer. These include:

• Family History: If a close relative had it, you’re at higher risk.
• Genetic Mutations: Some genetic syndromes, like Lynch syndrome, raise your risk a lot.
• Lifestyle Factors: Your diet, exercise, and smoking can affect your risk.
• Screening: Regular checks can find cancer early, when it’s easier to treat.

Knowing these risk factors is key to making a plan to prevent and screen for colorectal cancer. By focusing on things you can change, you can lower your risk.

Trends in Colorectal Cancer Statistics

Colorectal cancer rates change due to many factors. These include who gets the disease, the environment, and healthcare. Knowing these trends helps us make better health plans.

Historical Patterns

Colorectal cancer rates have gone down for people 50 and older. This is thanks to better screening and awareness. From 2012 to 2021, rates fell by about 1% each year in this age group.

Improved screening practices have played a big role. More people are getting colonoscopies. This helps find and remove polyps before they turn into cancer.

Current Trajectory

But, rates are going up for younger people. From 2012 to 2021, rates rose by 2.4% each year for those under 50.

This change shows we need to focus more on enhanced awareness and screening for the young. Lifestyle, diet, and genetics might be reasons for this trend.

Age Group	Trend (2012-2021)	Annual Percentage Change
50 and older	Declining	-1%
Under 50	Increasing	+2.4%

The different trends for different ages show we need specific health plans. Older adults should keep getting screened. But, we also need to tell younger people about the risks and the need for early detection.

Survival Statistics and Prognosis Factors

Colorectal cancer survival stats give us a peek into how well treatments work. They help patients, doctors, and researchers see how far we’ve come in fighting this disease.

5-Year Survival Rates by Stage

The 5-year survival rate is a big deal for colorectal cancer patients. It shows how well they might do based on when they find out they have cancer.

Stage at Diagnosis	5-Year Survival Rate
Localized	90%
Regional	71%
Distant	14%

Factors Affecting Survival Odds

Many things can change how likely a person is to survive colorectal cancer. These include how old they are, their overall health, and how well they do with treatment.

Key factors affecting survival odds include:

• Age: Older patients might face lower survival rates because of other health issues and less energy.
• Stage at Diagnosis: Finding cancer early can greatly improve chances of survival.
• Response to Treatment: Patients who do well with treatment tend to live longer.

Colorectal Cancer Death Rate: Mortality Statistics

It’s important to know how many people die from colorectal cancer. This helps us see how it affects health worldwide. Looking at death rates tells us if our healthcare and screening programs are working.

Annual Mortality Figures

In 2025, colorectal cancer is expected to kill about 52,900 people in the United States. This shows how big a problem it is. The number of deaths each year is a key way to measure the disease’s impact.

Mortality Trends Over Time

Death rates from colorectal cancer have been going down in older adults for years. This is thanks to better screening, early detection, and treatments. But, there’s a worrying trend in younger people, with death rates going up in those under 55.

This change shows we need to keep studying why colorectal cancer happens. We also need to find ways to stop it before it starts.

Key factors contributing to the decline in mortality rates among older adults include:

• Advances in screening technologies and guidelines
• Increased awareness and compliance with screening recommendations
• Improvements in surgical techniques and adjuvant therapies

Comparative Cancer Mortality

Colorectal cancer is a top cause of cancer deaths when compared to other cancers. Looking at how many people die from different cancers helps us focus our efforts. We need to keep working to lower death rates from colorectal cancer.

We must keep the death rate going down, even as it goes up in younger people. This will take ongoing research, better screening, and treatment. We also need to work on public health to lower risks and catch cancer early.

Regional and Demographic Variations

Colorectal cancer doesn’t affect everyone the same way. The rates of getting this disease and surviving it vary a lot. This is because of many things like where you live, your race, ethnicity, and how much money you make.

Geographic Distribution in the US

In the United States, where you live can affect your chances of getting colorectal cancer. The southeastern states have higher rates than other places. This might be because of how people live, what they are exposed to, and how easy it is to get medical care.

Here are some important facts about where colorectal cancer happens:

• The Midwest has the highest age-adjusted incidence rate of colorectal cancer. The West has the lowest.
• People living in rural areas die more often from colorectal cancer than those in cities.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities

There are big differences in who gets colorectal cancer and who dies from it. Non-Hispanic Black men have the highest rates. Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander women have the lowest. These differences come from genetics, environment, and how easy it is to get medical care.

Here are some numbers that show these differences:

Race/Ethnicity	Incidence Rate	Mortality Rate
Non-Hispanic Black	Highest	Highest
Non-Hispanic White	Moderate	Moderate
Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander	Lowest	Lowest

Socioeconomic Factors

How much money you make also affects your chances of getting colorectal cancer. People with less money often have higher rates because they have trouble getting screened and treated early.

Here are some key points about money and health:

1. People with less money often can’t get to the doctor as easily.
2. They are less likely to get screened and find the disease early.
3. They are more likely to have things that increase their risk, like being overweight or smoking.

To fight colorectal cancer, we need to work on these issues. We should make it easier to get screened, improve healthcare in poor areas, and teach people about the risks and how to find the disease early.

Screening Impact on Colon and Rectal Cancer Statistics

Colorectal cancer screening has led to a big drop in cases among older adults. This shows how key early detection is. Screening is a big help in the fight against colorectal cancer, cutting down deaths and improving survival rates.

Evolution of Screening Guidelines

Screening rules for colorectal cancer have changed a lot over time. This is thanks to new tech and a better grasp of the disease. At first, doctors said to start screening at 50. Now, they say 45 for those at average risk.

Key milestones in screening guideline evolution include:

• Increased emphasis on the importance of screening for individuals aged 45-75
• Expanded options for screening, including stool-based tests, colonoscopy, and CT colonography
• Personalized screening recommendations based on individual risk factors

Benefits of Early Detection

Screening early has greatly improved colorectal cancer outcomes. Early detection means a better chance of successful treatment and higher survival rates.

The benefits of early detection include:

• Improved 5-year survival rates
• Reduced need for aggressive treatments
• Increased treatment options, including less invasive procedures

Stage at Diagnosis	5-Year Survival Rate
Localized	90%
Regional	71%
Distant	14%

Screening Compliance Rates

Despite the benefits of screening, getting people to do it is hard. Many don’t know about it, can’t get to it, or are scared.

Strategies to improve screening compliance include:

• Public awareness campaigns to educate about the importance of screening
• Improving access to screening through insurance coverage and community programs
• Patient education to address fears and misconceptions about screening

Understanding how screening affects colon and rectal cancer stats helps us see its value. We must keep working to get more people screened and update guidelines to fight colorectal cancer better.

Risk Factors and Prevention Statistics

The battle against colorectal cancer involves understanding risk factors and prevention strategies. Knowing these can help people take steps to lower their risk of getting this disease.

Modifiable Risk Factors

Many risk factors for colorectal cancer can be changed through lifestyle choices. Dietary habits are key, with a diet full of red and processed meats raising the risk. On the other hand, eating more fiber, fruits, and veggies can lower it. Physical activity also helps, as regular exercise can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.

Other factors that can be changed include obesity and smoking. Keeping a healthy weight through diet and exercise can lessen obesity’s risk. Quitting smoking is also vital, as smoking increases the risk of many cancers, including colorectal cancer.

Prevention Effectiveness Data

Changing risk factors can greatly reduce colorectal cancer cases. For example, eating less red meat and exercising more can lower incidence rates. Health organizations say up to 30% of cases could be prevented with the right lifestyle changes.

Screening as Prevention

Screening is also key in catching colorectal cancer early. It can find polyps that could turn cancerous before they do. Regular screening has been shown to cut down on both incidence and death rates from colorectal cancer.

By tackling modifiable risk factors and following screening guidelines, people can greatly lower their risk of colorectal cancer. This approach not only boosts personal health but also helps fight the disease on a larger scale.

Conclusion: Understanding the Complete Picture of Colorectal Cancer

It’s key to grasp the full scope of colorectal cancer to fight it effectively. This article has given us a detailed look at the disease. We’ve seen its commonality, who it affects most, and the chances of survival.

Colorectal cancer is a big health issue worldwide and in the U.S. It hits different people in different ways. Some groups face a higher risk than others.

Looking at the numbers, we see how important catching it early and preventing it are. Following screening guidelines and managing risk factors can help a lot.

In short, knowing everything about colorectal cancer helps us spread awareness, fund research, and shape healthcare policies. By using all the data we have, we can tackle this disease better. This way, we aim to improve how well patients do.

FAQ

References

American Cancer Society. (2025). Colorectal cancer facts & figures 2025. American Cancer Society. Retrieved October 23, 2025, from
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html