What to know
Based on the most recent data available, in the United States in 2021, 141,902 new colorectal cancers were reported and in 2022, 52,967 people died from colorectal cancer.
Incidence and death rates, by sex
Males had higher rates than females of getting and dying from colorectal cancer.
Stage distribution
From 2017 to 2021, about 1 in 3 colorectal cancer cases were diagnosed at a localized stage, meaning the cancer had not spread outside the colon or rectum. Almost 4 in 10 colorectal cancers were found at a regional stage (the cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes, tissues, or organs), and about 2 in 10 were found at a distant stage (the cancer had spread to distant parts of the body).
5-year relative survival
Overall, 64% of colorectal cancer patients had not died from their cancer 5 years later. However, survival varied by stage at diagnosis.
Survival is higher when colorectal cancer is found before it spreads to other parts of the body. Screening tests can prevent colorectal cancer or find it early, when treatment works best.
5-year limited duration prevalence
Among people diagnosed with colorectal cancer from 2016 to 2020, 476,953 were still alive on January 1, 2021.
Impact of COVID-19
Resource
Data sources
Data are from U.S. Cancer Statistics, the official federal cancer statistics.
U.S. Cancer Statistics incidence data are from population-based registries that participate in CDC's National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR), the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, or both programs and met high-quality data criteria for data submitted in 2023, covering 98% of the U.S. population.
U.S. Cancer Statistics death data are from CDC's National Center for Health Statistics National Vital Statistics System and cover 100% of the U.S. population.
U.S. Cancer Statistics survival and prevalence data are from 43 NPCR registries that met high-quality data criteria for the 2023 data submission and conducted linkage with the National Death Index and/or active patient follow-up, covering 92% of the U.S. population. Five-year relative survival estimates are based on cases diagnosed from 2014 to 2020. Five-year limited-duration prevalence estimates are based on cases diagnosed from 2016 to 2020.