Colorectal cancer is shaped by both biology and lifestyle, including diet, alcohol use, and physical activity. Screening can detect precancerous polyps and early cancers, and risk reduction depends on factors like adenoma detection. This page also reviews how screening guidelines vary by age and country, the role of tests such as FIT and FIT-DNA, and how molecular features like MSI-H help guide prognosis and treatment.
Key Takeaways
- 1.93 million new cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed globally in 2020
- 935,000 deaths due to colorectal cancer occurred globally in 2020
- 10.0% of all cancer cases globally were colorectal cancer in 2020
- Colorectal cancer screening tests can detect precancerous polyps and early cancers, with adenoma detection affecting risk reduction outcomes (systematic evidence basis)
- A meta-analysis reported that processed meat consumption is associated with an increased colorectal cancer risk (summary relative risk)
- Physical activity is associated with reduced colorectal cancer risk; a dose-response meta-analysis found risk reduction with higher activity levels
- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends colorectal cancer screening for adults aged 45 to 75 years with Grade A/strong recommendation (screening eligible group definition)
- USPSTF recommends selective screening for adults aged 76 to 85 years (Grade C recommendation)
- In the United States, fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) can be used for colorectal cancer screening on an annual basis (screening interval guideline)
- Microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) occurs in about 15% of colorectal cancers (molecular subgroup prevalence estimate)
- For metastatic MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer, pembrolizumab has an objective response rate of 33% (KEYNOTE-016/KEYNOTE-164 pooled evidence)
- Nivolumab plus ipilimumab produced an objective response rate of 55% in a cohort of MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer patients (CheckMate 142 result)
In 2020 colorectal cancer caused 1.93 million new cases and 935,000 deaths worldwide.
Related reading
01 · Category
Disease Burden21 stats
01
1.93 million new cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed globally in 2020
02
935,000 deaths due to colorectal cancer occurred globally in 2020
03
10.0% of all cancer cases globally were colorectal cancer in 2020
04
9.4% of all cancer deaths globally were colorectal cancer in 2020
05
151,030 estimated new colorectal cancer cases were diagnosed in the United States in 2024
06
52,550 estimated colorectal cancer deaths occurred in the United States in 2024
07
67,680 estimated new cases of colon cancer occurred in the United States in 2024
08
16,500 estimated new cases of rectal cancer occurred in the United States in 2024
09
29,550 estimated colon cancer deaths occurred in the United States in 2024
10
5,930 estimated rectal cancer deaths occurred in the United States in 2024
11
The age-standardized incidence rate of colorectal cancer is 19.3 per 100,000 in men globally (2020)
12
The age-standardized incidence rate of colorectal cancer is 14.9 per 100,000 in women globally (2020)
13
The age-standardized mortality rate of colorectal cancer is 10.7 per 100,000 in men globally (2020)
14
The age-standardized mortality rate of colorectal cancer is 7.7 per 100,000 in women globally (2020)
15
1 in 7 colorectal cancer cases occur in people younger than 50 in the United States (estimated)
16
The proportion of colorectal cancer diagnoses among adults aged 50 or older is 91% in the United States (estimated)
17
9.4% of all cancer deaths were colorectal cancer in 2020 (global).
18
5.1% of all cancer deaths were liver cancer in 2020 (global).
19
5.1% of all cancer deaths were lung cancer in 2020 (global).
20
4.4% of all cancer deaths were stomach cancer in 2020 (global).
21
4.3% of all cancer deaths were breast cancer in 2020 (global).
Interpretation
Disease Burden Interpretation
In the disease burden picture of colorectal cancer, 1.93 million new cases and 935,000 deaths worldwide in 2020 show a very large toll, with colorectal cancer accounting for 10.0% of all cancer cases and 9.4% of all cancer deaths.
report visual · Comparison
Colorectal cancer share of global cancer deaths (2020)
In 2020, colorectal cancer accounted for the largest share of all global cancer deaths among the listed cancers, leading with 9.4% versus liver and lung (5.1% each) and stomach (4.
9.4% of all cancer deaths were colorectal cancer in 2020 (global).9.4%
5.1% of all cancer deaths were liver cancer in 2020 (global).5.1%
5.1% of all cancer deaths were lung cancer in 2020 (global).5.1%
4.4% of all cancer deaths were stomach cancer in 2020 (global).4.4%
4.3% of all cancer deaths were breast cancer in 2020 (global).4.3%
source-verifiedgco.iarc.who.int2020
02 · Category
Epidemiology & Risk14 stats
01
Colorectal cancer screening tests can detect precancerous polyps and early cancers, with adenoma detection affecting risk reduction outcomes (systematic evidence basis)
02
A meta-analysis reported that processed meat consumption is associated with an increased colorectal cancer risk (summary relative risk)
03
Physical activity is associated with reduced colorectal cancer risk; a dose-response meta-analysis found risk reduction with higher activity levels
04
Alcohol consumption is associated with increased colorectal cancer risk in a meta-analysis (pooled effect estimate)
05
Obesity is associated with increased colorectal cancer risk; meta-analysis estimates demonstrate a higher risk for obese individuals
06
Diabetes is associated with increased colorectal cancer risk; pooled analysis indicates higher risk among people with diabetes
07
Lynch syndrome accounts for about 2%–4% of colorectal cancer cases (genetic condition contribution estimate)
08
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) accounts for about 1% of colorectal cancer cases (genetic condition contribution estimate)
09
Individuals with Lynch syndrome have a colorectal cancer lifetime risk of up to 20%–44% (depending on gene and sex)
10
Individuals with Lynch syndrome have a lifetime endometrial cancer risk of up to 40%–60% (context for hereditary cancer syndrome burden)
11
Individuals with FAP have virtually 100% risk of developing colorectal cancer without prophylactic surgery
12
Estimated prevalence of colorectal cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease is higher than the general population, with cumulative risk rising with duration (IBD risk summary)
13
Chronic ulcerative colitis cumulative colorectal cancer risk approaches about 2% after 10 years of disease (population-based summary)
14
Chronic ulcerative colitis cumulative colorectal cancer risk may reach about 8% by 20 years (population-based summary)
Interpretation
Epidemiology & Risk Interpretation
Across epidemiology and risk factors, the evidence consistently points in one direction as lifestyle and metabolic exposures such as processed meat, alcohol, obesity, and diabetes are linked to increased colorectal cancer risk while physical activity is associated with risk reduction in meta-analyses, reinforcing that modifiable behaviors and health status strongly shape population risk.
More related reading
03 · Category
Screening & Detection13 stats
01
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends colorectal cancer screening for adults aged 45 to 75 years with Grade A/strong recommendation (screening eligible group definition)
02
USPSTF recommends selective screening for adults aged 76 to 85 years (Grade C recommendation)
03
In the United States, fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) can be used for colorectal cancer screening on an annual basis (screening interval guideline)
04
In the United States, FIT-DNA testing is recommended every 1 to 3 years depending on test brand (screening interval guideline)
05
In the United States, stool-based tests are recommended at intervals; colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years if normal (screening interval guideline)
06
The average risk colorectal cancer screening starting age was lowered to 45 years in USPSTF 2021 recommendations
07
FIT detects colorectal cancer with higher sensitivity than older guaiac-based tests (comparative performance summarized in USPSTF evidence)
08
Colonoscopy is widely used as a primary screening option with an interval of 10 years after a normal examination (guideline standard)
09
CT colonography is an option used at 5-year intervals after a normal examination in many guideline summaries (screening interval)
10
In randomized evidence, CRC screening with fecal occult blood testing reduces colorectal cancer mortality (mortality reduction stated in major trials synthesis)
11
In a large trial, flexible sigmoidoscopy screening reduced colorectal cancer incidence during follow-up (trial-reported effect)
12
In a European randomized trial, screening colonoscopy versus no screening was associated with reduced CRC incidence during follow-up (trial evidence)
13
In the United States, the USPSTF recommends offering screening using stool-based tests or visual inspection tests rather than blood-based tests (screening strategy recommendation)
Interpretation
Screening & Detection Interpretation
For the Screening and Detection category, the key trend is that colorectal cancer screening now starts earlier and is more precisely scheduled, with USPSTF lowering the average-risk start age to 45 years in 2021 and recommending annual FIT, FIT-DNA every 1 to 3 years, and a 10 year interval for colonoscopy when results are normal.
04 · Category
Treatment & Outcomes25 stats
01
Microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) occurs in about 15% of colorectal cancers (molecular subgroup prevalence estimate)
02
For metastatic MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer, pembrolizumab has an objective response rate of 33% (KEYNOTE-016/KEYNOTE-164 pooled evidence)
03
Nivolumab plus ipilimumab produced an objective response rate of 55% in a cohort of MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer patients (CheckMate 142 result)
04
In CheckMate 142, the median progression-free survival for MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer with nivolumab plus ipilimumab was 8.9 months (reported result)
05
In CheckMate 142, the median duration of response for MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer was 18.9 months (reported result)
06
In BEACON CRC, targeted therapy with encorafenib plus cetuximab achieved an overall response rate of 26% in BRAF V600E metastatic colorectal cancer (trial result)
07
In BEACON CRC, median overall survival with encorafenib plus cetuximab was 9.3 months (trial result)
08
In BEACON CRC, median progression-free survival with encorafenib plus cetuximab was 4.4 months (trial result)
09
In KRAS/NRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer treated with anti-EGFR therapy, response rates depend on trial regimen, with typical objective response rates reported in the 30% range (evidence summary)
10
In metastatic colorectal cancer, first-line FOLFOX plus bevacizumab yielded an objective response rate of 45% in the pivotal AVF2107g trial (reported result)
11
In AVF2107g, median overall survival with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy was 20.3 months (reported result)
12
In AVF2107g, median progression-free survival with bevacizumab plus chemotherapy was 9.2 months (reported result)
13
For metastatic colorectal cancer, adding bevacizumab to chemotherapy improves overall survival compared with chemotherapy alone (benefit quantified in trial)
14
In a trial (IMPACT) for metastatic colorectal cancer, overall response rate with FOLFIRI plus cetuximab in KRAS wild-type tumors was 39% (reported result)
15
In FIRE-3, cetuximab plus FOLFIRI after progression yielded a median overall survival of 28.3 months in certain KRAS wild-type analyses (trial report values)
16
For metastatic disease, the median survival is about 30 months for well-selected patients receiving modern systemic therapy (summary of trial era outcomes)
17
In early-stage colon cancer, adjuvant chemotherapy can improve survival by reducing recurrence risk (effect quantified in meta-analyses)
18
In stage III colon cancer, adjuvant chemotherapy (5-FU-based regimens) has been shown to improve 5-year overall survival by about 10% in meta-analyses
19
Neoadjuvant chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer enables sphincter preservation in a substantial fraction of patients; trials report around 70% of patients receiving total mesorectal excision achieve sphincter preservation (reported range)
20
A pathologic complete response rate around 20% is reported for selected rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy regimens (trial evidence summaries)
21
In the PRODIGE 23 trial, adjuvant modified FOLFOX6 was compared with observation; 5-year disease-free survival improved (quantified benefit)
22
In a large analysis, MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancers have better prognosis and response to immunotherapy compared with MSS tumors (quantified in survival outcomes summaries)
23
The overall response rate to immunotherapy is higher in MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer than in MSS colorectal cancer (pooled evidence)
24
In CHECKMATE 142, the 1-year overall survival rate for nivolumab plus ipilimumab in MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer was 82% (reported)
25
In KEYNOTE-016/164/158 evidence, pembrolizumab 1-year overall survival for MSI-H/dMMR colorectal cancer was reported above 70% (trial reporting)
Interpretation
Treatment & Outcomes Interpretation
For treatment and outcomes in colorectal cancer, the molecularly defined MSI-H/dMMR subgroup shows strong response to immunotherapy with pembrolizumab delivering a 33% objective response rate and nivolumab plus ipilimumab reaching 55% while producing a median progression-free survival of 8.9 months and a 18.9-month median duration of response.
Reference
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.
APA
Felix Zimmermann. (2026, February 13). Colorectal Cancer Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/colorectal-cancer-statistics
MLA
Felix Zimmermann. "Colorectal Cancer Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/colorectal-cancer-statistics.
Chicago
Felix Zimmermann. 2026. "Colorectal Cancer Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/colorectal-cancer-statistics.
Sources & references
35 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+27 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)