Key Takeaways
- Global cancer research investment was $7.1 billion in 2021 for colorectal cancer (estimate in GCO/GRA report for research funding allocation)
- In the U.S., colorectal cancer costs the healthcare system about $11.8 billion annually (direct medical costs, 2013)
- A cost-effectiveness analysis estimated that mailed FIT strategies can be cost-effective at commonly used willingness-to-pay thresholds (incremental cost-effectiveness ratios reported in the study)
- 2% of colorectal cancer cases and 2% of colorectal cancer deaths were attributable to smoking in 2020
- For stage IV colorectal cancer in the U.S., 5-year relative survival is 14% (SEER)
- In the CAIRO3 trial, capecitabine/irinotecan/oxaliplatin (CAPOX) maintenance was compared; reported median overall survival was 16.6 months in one arm (trial outcome)
- In the U.S., 28.7% of colorectal cancer patients are White (non-Hispanic) and 8.3% are Black (non-Hispanic) among those diagnosed (race distribution varies by dataset)
- In the PLCO trial, 20% of participants assigned to screening were found to have an advanced adenoma at some point during follow-up
- Among adults aged 50–75 in the U.S., 14.0% reported not having received any colorectal cancer screening in the past year in 2022 (BRFSS)
- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends clinicians screen adults aged 76 to 85 years selectively, based on overall health and prior screening history
- BRCA2 (and other HRR genes) are associated with increased risk; in a cohort meta-analysis, carriers showed elevated colorectal cancer risk with odds ratio reported for carriers
- Obesity increases colorectal cancer risk; a meta-analysis estimated colorectal cancer relative risk of 1.24 for obesity (BMI ≥30)
- Each 100 g/day of red meat increases colorectal cancer risk by 17% (dose-response estimate)
- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) grades for colorectal cancer screening are: Grade A for age 45–75 using screening tests and Grade C for age 76–85 selective screening
- In Scotland, the bowel cancer screening programme reported 60.3% screening uptake in 2022/23
In 2022, only 14% of US adults reported missing no screening, underscoring urgent colorectal cancer prevention.
Economic & Resource Impact
Economic & Resource Impact Interpretation
Epidemiology Burden
Epidemiology Burden Interpretation
Clinical Practice Patterns
Clinical Practice Patterns Interpretation
Screening & Outcomes
Screening & Outcomes Interpretation
Healthcare Utilization
Healthcare Utilization Interpretation
Risk Factors & Genetics
Risk Factors & Genetics Interpretation
Incidence & Mortality
Incidence & Mortality Interpretation
Screening Coverage
Screening Coverage Interpretation
Risk Factors
Risk Factors Interpretation
Market & Economics
Market & Economics Interpretation
Treatment & Outcomes
Treatment & Outcomes Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Rachel Svensson. (2026, February 13). Bowel Cancer Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/bowel-cancer-statistics
Rachel Svensson. "Bowel Cancer Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/bowel-cancer-statistics.
Rachel Svensson. 2026. "Bowel Cancer Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/bowel-cancer-statistics.
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