Colorectal cancer may include cancers of the colon or cancers of the rectum. Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women.
The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 159,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year. The incidence is decreasing in older adults due to lifestyle changes and increased screening. However, among people younger than 50, the rate increased by 2.9 percent each year from 2013 to 2022. In adults aged 50-64, the rate rose by 0.4 percent per year during that period.
Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer deaths in men and the fourth leading cause in women, but it’s the second most common cause of cancer deaths when those numbers are combined. It is expected to cause more than 55,000 deaths this year. The death rate is dropping in older adults, but is increasing by one percent in adults under 55 since the mid-2000s.
Colorectal cancer symptoms
The most common symptom of colorectal cancer is a change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or blood in the stool. Other symptoms include cramping or pain in the lower abdominal (stomach) area, constant tiredness or lack of energy. Early-stage colorectal cancers often have no symptoms.
How to screen
The most common symptom of colorectal cancer is a change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or blood in the stool. Other symptoms include cramping or pain in the lower abdominal (stomach) area, constant tiredness or lack of energy. Early-stage colorectal cancers often have no symptoms.
- A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year or a fecal immunochemical test (FIT ) every year
- A Stool DNA test (sDNA ) every three years
- Either a flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years or a colonoscopy every 10 years
- Other screening tests are available. Ask your health care provider which tests are right for you