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Colorectal Cancer: Statistics

What are statistics?

Some people use numbers called statistics to figure out their chances of getting cancer. Or they use them to try to figure out their chances of dying from cancer. Because no 2 people are alike, statistics can’t be used to predict what will happen to one person. The statistics below describe large groups of people. They do not take into account a person's own risk factors, such as family history, behaviors, or cancer screenings. If you have questions, talk with your healthcare provider.

What are the statistics for colorectal cancer?

Here are some statistics about colorectal cancer:

            Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer (excluding skin cancer) in men and women combined.

            About 143,000 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2015. This includes about 93,000 people diagnosed with colon cancer and about 40,000 people diagnosed with rectal cancer.

            For the average person, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 20 (5%). But this risk can be higher for people with certain risk factors.

            Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death when men and women are looked at separately. It is the second leading cause when men and women are combined.

            About 50,000 people were expected to die from colorectal cancer in 2015.