Colorectal cancer is a serious condition that affects many thousands of Americans. Indeed, it's estimated that over 150,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023 alone. Across the world, many millions more suffer from this condition. Excluding skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women.

Fortunately, it's not all bad news. In fact, colorectal cancer cases have been decreasing since the 1980s, and during the 2000s, incident rates declined at a steady 3 to 4 percent per year. This is due in large part to increased screenings in folks aged 50 or older. Sadly, however, colorectal cancer case rates have been increasing among younger folks since the 1990s. Ultimately, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer among people in their thirties.

Further, colorectal cancer is a leading cause of death. Globally, over 900,000 people died of colorectal cancer in 2020, making it the second deadliest type of cancer globally. In the United States, this type of cancer is the third leading cause of death among both men and women. The American Cancer Society has found that roughly 1 in 25 women (4 percent) will suffer from colorectal cancer. Combined, colorectal cancer ranks as the second leading cause of cancer death.

While the data does present a bit of a mix bag, identifying cancer early can lead to improved outcomes. That said, the death rate for colorectal cancer weighs in at 57 percent, making it an especially deadly form of cancer. This does mark an improvement, however, from the death rates observed in the 1970s.

Since the 1970s, treatment, and screenings have improved greatly, and as a result, more people are surviving this cancer. In the United States, there are an estimated 1.4 million colorectal cancer survivors. From 2012 to 2020, death rates declined by roughly 2 percent each year. Unfortunately, however, death rates among those below the age of 50 have been increasing, but increased screenings can save lives.

The overall 5-year survival rate for colorectal cancer in the United States is about 65 percent. If the cancer is caught early and is still localized, the survival rate jumps to over 90 percent, highlighting just how important screenings are. If the cancer is identified and treated quickly, patients can greatly increase their chances of surviving. As such, individuals should undergo regular screenings to safeguard their health.