Colorectal Cancer Fast Facts

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

1 in 23 men and 1 in 26 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime

• In 2024, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 152,810 new cases of colorectal cancer in the U.S. and a total of 53,010 people will die from these cancers.
• In 2020, there were an estimated 1,388,422 people living with CRC in the U.S.
• In the U.S., colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer cause of death for both men and women.
• When we look at both men and women combined, colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death.

Colorectal cancer is preventable with screening.

• 68% of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented with screening. All adults 45 and older should be screened.
• Colonoscopy is often considered the “gold standard” for colon screening because it can identify polyps and remove them during the same procedure.
• Affordable at home screening options exist and are an option for average-risk patients.
• If your take-home screening test comes back positive, it is extremely important for you to get a follow-up colonoscopy to identify and examine any abnormalities or suspicious areas.
• The type of screening you need depends on your risk. Consult your doctor about which screening method is right for you.

By knowing the risk factors and signs and symptoms, you may be able to catch colorectal cancer at its earliest stage.

• If you are 45 or older, you should talk to your doctor about screening.
• Anyone, at any age, can get colorectal cancer.
• More than half (55%) of colorectal cancer cases in the U.S. are attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors, including excess body weight, high consumption of red or processed meat, low calcium intake, heavy alcohol consumption, and very low intake of fruits and vegetables and whole-grain fiber.