Mortality

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the US. Age, as well as male gender, results in a greater rate of death related to CRC. In adults <50 years of age, CRC is now the first and second leading cause of death in men and women, respectively. Encompassing all ages and genders, it is estimated that nearly 53,000 people in the US will die in 2024 due to CRC.1,2

~2 million new cancer cases and ~612,000 cancer deaths are expected in 20241

53,010 CRC deaths are expected in 2024, making it the 2nd leading cause of cancer mortality in the US in both sexes combined1

In adults <50 years of age, CRC is now the 1st and 2nd leading cause of death in men and women, respectively1

Colorectal Cancer Deaths by Age and Gender

Estimated Number of CRC Cases and Deaths in the US in 2023 by Age4,a

Cases Deaths
Age Colorectum Colon Rectum Colorectumc
0-49 years 19,550 12,370 7180 3750
50-64 years 48,210 29,800 18,410 13,160
65+ years 85,260 64,800 20,460 36,640
All ages 153,020 106,970 46,050 52,550

Table adapted from ACS, 20234

  • As with most cancers, the risk of CRC and CRC-related death increases with age2
  • Learn more about CRC incidence and risk factors

One study found that among those who died from CRC, 76% were not up to date with screening.3,b Learn more about the value of timely screening.

CRC MORTALITY (2016-2020)1,d

Bar graph depicts colorectal cancer mortality between 2016 and 2020 by ethnicity and sex. Ethnicities included are White, Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian American/Pacific Islander, and Hispanic/Latino. A general pattern of higher mortality rates for males across all ethnicities is shown, with the highest prevalence seen in American Indian/Alaska Native and Black populations.
  • Cancer deaths have been generally decreasing since their peak 1991, largely related to improvements in early detection and treatment1
  • Death due to CRC has decreased by 55% since 1980 in males and by 60% since 1969 in females1

Related Topics

Footnotes

  1. Estimates are rounded to the nearest 10 and exclude in situ carcinoma. Values are based on estimates for 2024.
  2. Data are from a retrospective cohort study of patients in the Kaiser Permanente Northern and Southern California systems (55-90 years old) who died of CRC from 2006 through 2012 and had at least 5 years of enrollment before diagnosis. Data were compared to a matched cohort of cancer-free patients in the same system. Of 1750 CRC deaths identified, 75.9% occurred in patients who were not up to date with CRC screening.
  3. Deaths for colon and rectal cancers are combined because a large number of rectal cancer deaths are misclassified as colon.
  4. Rates are per 100,000 population and age adjusted to the 2000 US standard population. All race groups are exclusive of Hispanic origin. To reduce racial misclassification, incidence rates are limited to Purchased/Referred Care Delivery Area counties and morality rates (for the entire US) are adjusted using factors published by the National Center for Health Statistics.
  5. To reduce racial misclassification for American Indian and Alaska Native individuals, incidence rates are limited to Preferred/Referred Care Delivery Area counties, and mortality rates are for the entire US and adjusted for misclassification using factors from the National Center for Health Statistics.

List of definitions

CRC: colorectal cancer; US: United States.


References

  1. Siegel RL, Giaquinto AN, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2024. CA Cancer J Clin. 2024;74(1):12-49.
  2. Siegel RL, Wagle NS, Cercek A, et al. Colorectal cancer statistics, 2023. CA Cancer J Clin. 2023;73(3):233-254.
  3. Doubeni CA, Fedewa SA, Levin TR, et al. Modifiable failures in the colorectal cancer screening process and their association with risk of death. Gastroenterol. 2019;156(1);63-74.
  4. ACS. Colorectal cancer facts and figures 2023-2025. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2023.