Colorectal cancer statistics at a glance

Year: 2012	Males	Females
Cases	13,000	10,300
Incidence rate (per 100,000)*	60	40
Incidence rank	3rd	3rd
Deaths	5,000	4,200
Death rate (per 100,000)*	23	15
Death rank	2nd	3rd
5-year relative survival (2004-2006)	63%	64%

*age-standardized to the 1991 Canadian Standard Population

In 2012, an estimated 23,300 Canadians will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 9,200 will die of it. Overall, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in men and women combined.

An estimated 10,300 women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 4,200 will die of it.
An estimated 13,000 men will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 5,000 will die of it.
On average, 64 Canadians will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer every day.
On average, 25 Canadians will die of colorectal cancer every day.

Probability of developing or dying from colorectal cancer

One in 13 men is expected to develop colorectal cancer during his lifetime and one in 28 will die of it.
One in 16 women is expected to develop colorectal cancer during her lifetime and one in 32 will die of it.

Trends in colorectal cancer

In both sexes, the incidence rate rose between 1980 and 1985, then declined to the mid-1990s (more strongly in females than in males). Rates then rose through 2000 only to decline thereafter. Death rates have been declining in both sexes.

Learn about the 4 most common cancer types

Detailed cancer statistics by province/teritorry

Last modified on: 08 May 2012