Colorectal cancer statistics, 2026.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
National population-based cancer registry and vital statistics surveillance study
PubMed 41769777 · doi:10.3322/caac.70067
What was done
The American Cancer Society analyzed US population-based cancer registry data (incidence) and National Center for Health Statistics data (mortality) through 2022 to examine trends in colorectal cancer (CRC) occurrence and mortality by age, tumor site, and stage.
What was found
Overall CRC incidence decreased by 0.9% annually from 2013 to 2022, driven by a 2.5% annual decrease in adults aged 65 and older. In contrast, incidence increased by 3% annually in adults aged 20-49 years and by 0.4% annually in adults aged 50-64 years, predominantly driven by distal colon and rectal tumors. Overall rectal cancer incidence rose 1% annually from 2018 to 2022, now comprising 32% of all CRC cases (up from 27% in the mid-2000s). In adults aged 50-64 years, rising incidence was confined to regional and distant stages (1.1%-1.3% annual increase during 2013-2022), with mortality in this age group increasing 1% annually since 2019 (steepest in White individuals at 2.3% annually). Mortality in adults younger than 50 years has increased by 1% annually since 2004, while mortality in adults aged 65 and older decreased by 2.3% annually since 2012.
Why it matters
This report demonstrates a worsening shift in the US colorectal cancer burden toward younger and middle-aged adults, highlighting an urgent need for etiologic research and earlier detection strategies.
Limits
The abstract reports aggregated national surveillance registry data and does not provide total case counts, underlying individual-level clinical details, or causal etiologic mechanisms for the observed rising trends in younger populations.
Cited by
- supports Colorectal cancer complication and mortality rates are declining among older individuals.