Colorectal Cancer Research Highlights

The American Cancer Society (ACS) helps find answers to critical questions about colorectal cancer (CRC).

What causes it?
How can it be successfully prevented, detected, and treated?
What is the best age to start screening?
How can the quality of life for colorectal cancer survivors be improved?

Studying questions like these has helped improve screening and treatment methods, which has contributed to substantial decreases in deaths from colorectal cancer over the past 20 years. Thank you to all our donors who make this research possible.

54% of Colorectal Cancer Cases and 55% of Deaths Have the Potential to Be Prevented with Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer worldwide and the 2nd leading cause of death from cancer. It's estimated that about 55% of colorectal cases and deaths could be attributed to modifiable risk factors, such as:

Diets high in red and processed meat and low in fruit, vegetables, fiber, and calcium
Not being physically active
Smoking
Drinking alcohol

Can Ozempic & Mounjaro Reduce the Risk of Colorectal Cancer?

Early study finds GLP-1 medicines reduce the risk of colorectal cancer more than other diabetes medicines, especially for people with overweight/obesity.

Read all about it

Risk and Prevention Studies

With data from 52 studies, including American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study-II, scientists found 2 genetic markers that interact with aspirin/NSAIDs to reduce colorectal cancer risk.

With data from ACS CPS-II and 44 more studies, scientists found genetic markers that interact with fruit and high-fiber foods to lower colorectal cancer risk.

CPS-II Nutrition Cohort Study shows people who drink decaffeinated coffee have a lower risk of colorectal cancer, regardless of their smoking status.

Evidence of Increases in Colorectal Cancer for Younger People

Colorectal cancer is 1 of 17 cancers that Gen X and Millennials have a higher risk of developing than older people. See the study in The Lancet Public Health.

In 20 of 27 countries analyzed, more people younger than 50 have been developing colorectal cancer than those older than 50, with the largest incidence rates in Australia. See the study in The Lancet Oncology.

Screening and Early Detection Studies

ACS researchers found that colorectal cancer screening in newly eligible adults is low, with stool tests especially low despite increases during COVID-19.

Researchers found that only 26% of people who were overdue for colorectal cancer screening said their doctor recommended screening in the past year.

ACS researchers reveal the need to protect cancer screening rates when unemployment is high, as it has been during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Striking Trends by Age for Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Death Rates

Improvements in incidence rates and death rates for colorectal cancer are due to changing patterns in risk factors, earlier detection through the widespread use of screening, and improvements in treatment, but those improvements are limited to older adults.

+0.4%

average annual increase in colorectal cancer incidence rates in people ages 50-64 from 2012-2021

+2.4%

average increase in colorectal cancer incidence rates in people younger than age 50, each year from 2012-2021

-1.7%

average decrease in colorectal cancer death rates for people of all ages, each year from 2013-2022

+0.8%

average increase in colorectal cancer death rates in people younger than age 55 per year each year from 2013-2022

Treatment Studies

Certain types of chemotherapy for people with colon or rectal cancer increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy, but healthy eating may help lower that risk.

ACS grantee contributed his cellular spatial map of the large and small intestine to a larger project, the Human BioMolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP).

An ACS grantee unraveled DNA from a histone spool and found the gene that enhances a cell to become colorectal cancer.

Eye-opening statistics about colorectal cancer in adults younger than age 50

34%

colorectal cancer screening rate for people ages 45 to 49—lower than rates for ages 50-65 and 65 and older

30%

people diagnosed with colorectal cancer with a genetic predisposition or family history (they should talk with a doctor about screening before age 45)

44%

% of colorectal cancers diagnosed in people under age 50 are rectal tumors, compared to 25% in those 65+

Survivorship Studies

Researchers find a country’s Human Development Index (HDI) affects colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes even more than stage at diagnosis.

A CPS-II Nutrition Study found using multivitamins or C before or after a diagnosis of colorectal cancer didn’t affect survival. Vitamin E is still in question.

Analysis of the ACS’s Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort shows how aspirin use affects the risk of developing colorectal cancer and dying from it.

Featured Term: Gut Microbiome

The gut microbiome is a collection of microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi that mostly live in the digestive tract. Every person's gut microbiome is uniquely shaped by their diet, lifestyle, genetics, and environment. Gut bacteria help with day-to-day functions like synthesizing vitamins, digesting food, and metabolizing drugs. They also help regulate the immune system and protect the body from potentially harmful bacteria. Recent findings have shown that the gut microbiome can help cancer grow and also help keep it from growing.

Go to the Glossary for Nonscientists

ACS Statistics Reports

The 2025 annual report provides estimated numbers of new cancer cases, deaths, survivors and statistics on prevention, early detection, and treatment.

Cover photo for ACS Colorectal Cancer Facts and Figures for 2023

Colon cancer is the 3rd most commonly diagnosed cancer and the 3rd leading cause of cancer death. Download Colorectal Cancer Facts and Figures here.

Interact with the latest colorectal cancer statistics and download the information you want for presentations and reports.

We Fund Cancer Researchers Across the US

The ACS funds scientists who conduct research about breast cancer at medical schools, universities, research institutes, and hospitals throughout the United States. We use a rigorous and independent peer review process to select the most innovative research project proposals to fund.

colorectal cancer grants

$73M

funding for colorectal cancer

See More Research Funding Statistics