New colon cancer statistics show rising cases in adults under 50. Get 2026 data on incidence, mortality, survival rates by stage, and key risk factors.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide and the third most common non-skin-related cancer in the United States.
Several factors can increase the risk of developing colon cancer, including:
- Older age
- Being male
- Personal or family history of colon cancer
- Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Diets high in processed foods and red meat
- Smoking
Screening is one of the most effective ways to prevent colon cancer or detect it early when treatment is more likely to be successful. Colonoscopy remains one of the key screening methods because it can detect abnormal growths, such as polyps, and allow doctors to remove them before they become cancerous.
Regular screening, combined with healthy lifestyle habits and management of risk factors, plays an important role in reducing colon cancer risk and improving outcomes.
Chances are that you know someone who has had colon cancer. It is one of the most common cancer types. Colon cancer is sometimes called colorectal cancer, an umbrella term for cancers that start at the end of the digestive tract (either the colon or the rectum).
Colon cancer can happen to anyone, but the risk increases with age or family history (meaning, a close relative had colon cancer). The good news is that regular screenings can help catch colon cancer early. Colon cancer statistics suggest that early treatment can dramatically improve the chance of survival.
What is colon cancer?
Colon cancer starts in the large intestine, or colon. Cancers develop when cells multiply uncontrollably and invade healthy tissue. Left unchecked, colon cancer cells can travel to form tumors in other parts of the body. Cancer that started in the colon but has spread to other body parts is called metastatic colon cancer.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends regular colon cancer screenings starting at age 45. Ask your healthcare provider about earlier screening if you experience signs of colon cancer, such as:
- Abdominal cramping
- Rectal bleeding
- Bloody stools
- Unintended weight loss
- Unexplained changes in bowel habits
Screening at a younger age may also be recommended if you have a strong family history of colon cancer.
Depending on your age, family history, and risk factors, there are several screening tests for colon cancer. Some tests may be performed at home with a doctor’s order, while others are completed in a medical setting. Colonoscopy remains one of the most important colon cancer screening methods, allowing a gastroenterologist to examine the colon for abnormalities.
How common is colon cancer?
“The average lifetime risk sounds relatively low, around 4%, but it’s actually one of the more common cancers,” says Supriya Rao, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist.
- Aside from skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. (ACS, 2026)
- Colon cancer is the second most deadly cancer in the U.S. (ACS, 2026)
- It’s estimated that there will be about 108,860 new cases of colon cancer in the U.S. in 2026. (ACS, 2026)
Colon cancer statistics worldwide
- Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. (World Health Organization, 2022)
- Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths around the world. (WHO, 2022)
- In 2022, there were 1,926,425 new cases of colorectal cancer worldwide. (World Cancer Research Fund, 2026)
Colon cancer statistics in America
- About 3.9% of Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer at some point in their lifetime. (National Cancer Institute, 2026)
- In the U.S., it is estimated that there will be 158,850 new cases of colon cancer in 2026. (NCI’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, 2026)
- In the U.S., it is estimated that there will be 55,230 deaths from colon cancer in 2026. (SEER, 2026)
- The rate of new cases of colon cancer in the U.S. has been slowly but steadily declining since 1985. (SEER, 2026)
Colon cancer statistics by age
Your risk of colon cancer increases with age, but it can still develop in children and younger adults.
- Colorectal cancer is most common after age 50. (ACS, 2026)
- From 2019 to 2023, nearly 24% of new colorectal cancer cases were in people aged 54 or younger. (SEER, 2026)
- Approximately 2.4% of new colon cancer diagnoses occurred in people 34 and younger. (SEER, 2026)
- The median age for diagnosis of colorectal cancer was 66. (SEER, 2026)
- From 2013 to 2022, the rate of colon cancer has increased by 2.9% each year for people younger than 50. (ACS, 2026)
- In that same time period, colon cancer rates have decreased by 0.4% each year for those 50–64. (ACS, 2026)
Colon cancer statistics by sex
- Men are more likely than women to develop colon cancer. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025)
- Colorectal cancer is more likely to be fatal in men than in women. (ACS, 2026)
- In 2022, there were 1,069,446 cases among men and 856,979 cases among women worldwide. (World Cancer Research Fund, 2026)
- In the U.S., it is estimated that 55,410 men and 53,450 women will be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2026. (ACS, 2026)
Colon cancer statistics by ethnicity
- In the U.S., colorectal cancer is most common among non-Hispanic American Indians and Alaska Native people, followed by non-Hispanic Black individuals. (SEER, 2026)
- In the U.S., colorectal cancer is least common among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. (SEER, 2026)
- In 2015, the rate of colorectal cancer was 15% higher in Black individuals compared with White individuals. (ACS, 2023)
- From 2015 to 2019, Black individuals were more likely than any other ethnicity to be diagnosed with advanced-stage colorectal cancer. (ACS, 2023)
The survival story: Looking at the latest success rates
There is good news: colon cancer survival rates are improving. The 5-year colon cancer survival rate, which refers to the percentage of people who are alive five years after diagnosis, has increased by 6% over the last 50 years.
According to statistics published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the 5-year survival rate increased from 51% in the mid-1970s to 57% in the mid-2010s.
These survival statistics highlight the importance of detecting colon cancer early. Survival rates decrease significantly once colon cancer spreads to other parts of the body.
Unfortunately, colon cancer does not always cause symptoms during the early stages. Scheduling a first colonoscopy at the recommended age of 45 (or earlier for people at higher risk) can help detect colon cancer before it reaches advanced stages.
In 2026, the American Cancer Society (ACS) updated its guidelines to include at-home stool tests as an option for colon cancer screening. These tests may help increase access to screening, which is important for early detection. However, experts advise that at-home tests should not replace a recommended colonoscopy when one is medically indicated.
Why the statistics are changing for younger adults
Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in younger adults,” says Dr. Rao. “I am seeing people in their 30s and 40s more than I ever expected to.”
There are several possible reasons for the increase in colon cancer diagnoses among adults younger than 50.
One factor is the change in screening recommendations. The recommended age for starting colon cancer screening was lowered from 50 to 45, which has helped identify more cases of early-onset colon cancer that may have otherwise gone undetected.
Dr. Rao also attributes the rise in colon cancer among younger adults to factors such as:
- Increasing obesity rates
- Diets higher in processed foods and red meat
- Lower fiber intake
- Possible changes in the gut microbiome
These factors may contribute to changing colon cancer trends among younger populations.
Mortality rates and progress in treatment
As mentioned above, colon cancer mortality rates have decreased slightly over the last 50 years. Survival rates vary depending on how early the cancer is diagnosed.
5-year survival rates by stage (2020–2024)
- Early stage: 91% for localized colon cancer
- Mid-stage: 73% for regional colon cancer, where the cancer has spread only to nearby lymph nodes
- Late-stage: 13% for distant colon cancer, where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, or distant lymph nodes
“Colon cancer is very treatable if caught early,” Dr. Rao emphasizes. Earlier screening has helped improve outcomes, along with advances in treatments such as immunotherapy drugs. Other approaches, including robot-assisted surgery, may help improve quality of life for some patients.
Risk factors and preventability
The best way to prevent advanced colon cancer is to schedule regular colon cancer screenings.
“Colonoscopy remains the gold standard,” Dr. Rao says. Colonoscopies allow healthcare providers, typically gastroenterologists, to detect and remove precancerous polyps before they develop into cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, other ways to lower colon cancer risk include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Research suggests that people with obesity have a 60% higher rate of colorectal cancer compared with those who maintain a healthy weight.
- Regular exercise: Physical activity, even about one hour per week, has been associated with a lower prevalence of precancerous colon polyps.
- Reducing red and processed meat intake: Eating large amounts of processed or red meat, including beef, pork, and venison, is a known risk factor for colorectal cancer. Higher consumption of red meat may increase risk, and processed meats such as cured, dried, or smoked meats are also associated with increased risk.
- Stopping smoking: Research suggests that quitting smoking for more than 20 years may reduce the risk of precancerous colon polyps.
Of course, some colon cancer risk factors cannot be changed. Risk increases with age, and men are more likely to develop colon cancer than women. People with inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, may also have a higher-than-average risk. Genetic factors can also play a role, including a personal or family history of colon polyps or colon cancer.
While some risk factors are outside of your control, regular screening and healthy lifestyle choices can help reduce risk and support early detection, even among people with a higher-than-average risk of colon cancer.
Colon cancer questions and answers
What are the odds of getting colon cancer?
The likelihood of developing colon cancer varies from person to person. Colon cancer is the third most common cancer, and certain groups may have a higher-than-average risk, including:
- American Indian and Alaska Native people
- People born male
- People with a personal or family history of colon polyps or colon cancer
- People with obesity
- People who smoke
- People who consume high amounts of red meat or processed meat
Why is colon cancer so common now?
Several factors may contribute to current colon cancer trends. These include increased screening efforts, which help identify more cases earlier, as well as rising risk factors such as:
- Obesity
- Diets higher in processed foods
- Higher consumption of red and processed meats
Earlier screening has also helped detect some cases sooner, which can improve treatment outcomes.
What is the survival rate for colon cancer?
Survival rates depend heavily on whether colon cancer is detected before it spreads.
According to SEER data from the National Institutes of Health:
- People with localized colon cancer have about a 91% 5-year survival rate
- People with metastatic colon cancer have about a 17% 5-year survival rate
This highlights the importance of early detection and regular screening, especially for people with increased risk factors.
Source: SingleCare