Facts and Stats

Looking for facts about colon cancer & rectal cancer? See below for 2023 statistics and other important facts to share.

Having accurate facts about colon cancer and rectal cancer is very important. Whether you're reporting on a story, doing a homework assignment, raising awareness with family, or creating your own materials for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, do your homework and get the numbers right.

Below are 2022 facts and stats about colorectal cancer. Need a fact check or information about something not listed below? Contact our media team.

Three interesting facts about colon cancer & rectal cancer

colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death

Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women combined in the U.S.

colon cancer fact young people dying

Of all cancers, colorectal cancer will take the most lives of people under 50 by 2030.

colon cancer rates 1 in 23 men and 1 in 26 women will be diagnosed

1 in 23 men and 1 in 26 women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

More important facts about this common cancer

family history of colon cancer high risk

Those with a family history of colorectal cancer are at a higher risk and need to be screened earlier than 45.

colon cancer prevention fact

Colorectal cancer is preventable with screening screening and affordable, take-home options exist.

colon cancer screening stat

There are more than 20 million Americans eligible for colorectal cancer screening who have not been screened.

colon cancer survival statistic

There are more than 1.5 million colorectal cancer survivors in the United States.

colon cancer prevention fact

By knowing the risk factors and signs and symptoms, you can catch colorectal cancer at its earliest stage.

under 50 colon cancer statistic

More than 27,000 people under age 50 will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2030.

african american colon cancer statistic

Black Americans are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and about 40% more likely to die from it than most other groups.

asian american colon cancer statistic

Less than 50% of Asian Americans are up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening.

indigenous coloretal cancer statistic

Indigenous communities have higher rates of colorectal cancer.

jewish colorectal cancer statistic

Jews of Eastern European descent (Ashkenazi Jews) have one of the highest risks of colorectal cancer of any ethnic group in the world.

More Colorectal Cancer Statistics

Find additional facts about colon cancer and rectal cancer using the following sources:

Hopeful Figures & Facts About Colon Cancer

Colorectal Cancer in Young Adults

While rates of colorectal cancer in older adults have been decreasing over the last several decades, rates of colorectal cancer in young adults are increasing.

1 in 10 colorectal cancers are diagnosed in patients under 50 years of age.

Here are a few key facts about colon cancer under 50:

  • Rates of early-age onset colorectal cancer have been rising steadily since the mid-1990s.
  • There was a 51% increase in cases of colorectal cancer in people age 20-49 from 1994 to 2012.
  • Rates are increasing most rapidly among the American Indian/Alaska Native and Non-Hispanic White populations.
  • The CRC death rate increased by 1.3% annually in people under 50 years between 2008 to 2017.
  • Patients under 50 years of age are 58% more likely than older patients to be diagnosed with late stage disease (stage III or IV). 
  • The incidence of is expected to increase by >140% by 2030.

"By 2030, the incidence of early-age onset (EAO) CRC — diagnoses under age 50 — is predicted to increase by more than 140%, meaning more than 27,000 people under age 50 will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer. We must act now."

—Anjee Davis, Fight Colorectal Cancer President

Causes of colorectal cancer in young adults

Why is this happening?

Studies suggest that lack of access to health care and a lack of awareness in both young patients and their doctors about the signs and symptoms of colon cancers and rectal cancers are causing the higher incidence of colon cancer and rectal cancer in young adults under age 50.

Read more about colorectal cancer in young adults