Statistics


Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the U.S. In 2005 (the most recent year for which statistics are currently available):

• 72,007 men and 69,398 women were diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
• 26,781 men and 26,224 women died from colorectal cancer.

Source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2005 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA) aloeelite : Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2009. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/uscs.


Colorectal Cancer Risk by Age

The risk of getting colorectal cancer increases with age and is greater in men than in women. The tables below shows the percentage of men or women (how many out of 100) who will get colorectal cancer over different time periods. The time periods are based on the person's current age.

For example, go to the men's current age 60. The table shows 1.55% of men who are now 60 years old will get colorectal cancer sometime during the next 10 years. That is, 1 or 2 out of every 100 men who are 60 years old today will get colorectal cancer by the age of 70.

Percent of U.S. Men Who Develop Colorectal Cancer over 10-, 20-, and 30-Year Intervals According to Their Current Age, 2003–2005^†

Current Age	10 Years	20 Years	30 Years
30	0.06	0.29	0.96
40	0.23	0.92	2.29
50	0.71	2.14	4.06
60	1.55	3.64	5.06
70	2.51	4.22	N/A

Percent of U.S. Women Who Develop Colorectal Cancer over 10-, 20-, and 30-Year Intervals According to Their Current Age, 2003–2005^†

Current Age	10 Years	20 Years	30 Years
30	0.06	0.26	0.78
40	0.20	0.72	1.74
50	0.54	1.58	3.16
60	1.10	2.76	4.29
70	1.88	3.61	N/A

  ^†Source: Ries LAG, Melbert D, Krapcho M, Stinchcomb DG, Howlader N, Horner MJ, Mariotto A, Miller BA, Feuer EJ, Altekruse SF, Lewis DR, Clegg L, Eisner MP, Reichman M, Edwards BK (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975–2005, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, based on November 2007 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER Web site, 2008.






Trends

Note: The word "significantly" below refers to statistical significance. 2005 is the latest year for which data are available.

Incidence Trends

 Source for trend data: Jemal A, Thun MJ, Ries LA, Howe HL, Weir HK, Center MM, Ward E, Wu XC, Eheman C, Anderson R, Ajani UA, Kohler B, Edwards BK. Annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, 1975–2005, featuring trends in lung cancer, tobacco use, and tobacco control. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2008;100(23):1672–1694. colitis