Incidence

Over the course of a lifetime, approximately 1 in 25 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC).1 According to recent estimates, CRC is the third most common cancer in either men or women and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.2 Overall risk of CRC is slightly higher in men compared to women, with increasing incidence observed in adults <50 years of age.2,3  
3rd Most Diagnosed Cancer2

151,030 new cases of colorectal cancer expected in 20222,a

1.3 Million people living in the US with colorectal cancer (data as of 2017)4
Overall Lifetime Risk of CRC2:
Man
4.2%  for men
Woman
4.0%  for women

CRC is a growing burden in adults
younger than 50 years3,B

Line graph showing CRC incidence for ages 20-49
Chart of CRC Cases Age 50+
  • CRC incidence has gradually declined over the past 20 years in the population 50+ years due to influence of screening rates and changes in exposure to risk factors3
  • There has been about a 51% increase in CRC incidence among adults <50 years since 19943
  • CRC incidence among adults <50 years increased 2.2% annually from 2012 to 20165
  • Learn more about young-onset disease/trends 

Related Topics

References

1 American Cancer Society. Colorectal cancer facts & figures 2020-2022. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2020.

2 Siegel RL, Miller KD, Fuchs HE, et al. Cancer statistics, 2022. CA Cancer J Clin. 2022;72:7-33.

3 Wolf AMD, Fontham ETH, Church TR, et al. Colorectal cancer screening for average-risk adults: 2018 guideline update from the American Cancer Society. CA Cancer J Clin. 2018;68(4):250-281.

4 National Cancer Institute. Cancer stat facts: colorectal cancer. Accessed December 8, 2021. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect.html

5  Siegel RL, Miller KD, Goding Sauer A, et al. Colorectal cancer statistics, 2020. CA Cancer J Clin. 2020;70(3):145-164. 

 

Footnotes

a Estimated new cases are based on 2004-2018 incidence data reported by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR). Estimated deaths are based on 2005-2019 US mortality data, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Estimates are rounded to the nearest 10. The 2022 projections are based on currently available incidence and mortality and do not reflect the impact of COVID-19 on cancer cases and death.

b Trends in colorectal cancer incidence rates by age (ages 20-49 and ages 50+) and sex, 1975 to 2014. 

Last Updated: 3/1/2022