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.
Colorectal Cancer Prevention Tips
Half of Colorectal Cancer Cases and Deaths May Be Prevented with Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in men and women in the United States and now the 2nd most common cause of death from cancer.
It's estimated that more than 50% of colorectal cancer 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
Many other colorectal cancer cases and deaths are preventable through screening, which is recommended for people at an average risk starting at age 45, and access to high-quality treatment.
Colorectal Cancer Drops in Older Adults and Rises in Young Ones
The American Cancer Society 2026 Colorectal Cancer Statistics report says colorectal cancer rates in the US are moving in two directionsup for ages less than 50 (especially in the rectum) and down for people 65 and older.
Risk and Prevention Studies
Evidence of Increases in Colorectal Cancer Under Age 65
It's clear that colorectal cancer can no longer be called an old person’s disease. We must double down on research to pinpoint what is driving this tsunami of cancer in generations born since 1950."
Ahmedin Jemal, DVM, PhD
Senior Vice President, Surveillance, Prevention, and Health Services Research
American Cancer Society
Eye-opening statistics: Colorectal cancer screening under age 50
37%
people ages 45 to 49 who are up to date with colorectal cancer screening
50%
colorectal cancer diagnoses under age 50 that occur in people ages 45-49. CRC screening is recommended to start at age 45 for those of average risk.
3 in 4
colorectal cancers in people younger than 50 that are diagnosed at an advanced stage (regional or distant)
Screening and Early Detection Studies
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 increase in colorectal cancer incidence rates in people ages 50-64 each year from 2013-2022
+3%
average increase in colorectal cancer incidence rates in people ages 20 to 49, each year from 2013-2022
-2%
average decrease in colorectal cancer death rates for people of all ages, each year from 2013-2022
+1%
average increase in colorectal cancer death rates in people ages 50 to 64 (since 2019) and in ages 20 to 49 (since 2004)
Treatment Studies
Featured Term: Birth-cohort effect
The phenomenon of a person's risk of developing a condition being closely associated with the year they were born (the generation they are part of, like Baby Boomers and Millennials) because of their distinct characteristics compared to other generations. For instance, they share exposure to risk factors over time associated with environmental factors, economic conditions, and historical events for that generation, which shape their attitudes, values, and behaviors.
Survivorship Studies
ACS Statistics Reports
More Colorectal Cancer Research Stories
Colorectal Cancer News
ACS Pivotal Studies
ACS Research Professor News Stories
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.
95
colorectal cancer grants
$73M
funding for colorectal cancer