Bowel cancer (Colorectal cancer) in Australia statistics
The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Colorectal cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C18 (Malignant neoplasm of colon), C19 (Malignant neoplasm of rectosigmoid junction) C20 (Malignant neoplasm of the rectum), and C26 (Malignant neoplasm of other and ill-defined digestive organs): Incidence (C18–C20), mortality (C18–C20, C26.0).
Estimated number of new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in 2021
15,540 = 8,247 males + 7,239 females
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2021
10%
Estimated number of deaths from colorectal cancer in 2021
5,295 = 2,836 males + 2,459 females
Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2021
11%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2013–2017)
70%
People living with colorectal cancer at the end of 2016 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2012 to 2016)
54,911
New cases
Colorectal cancer was the 3rd most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2017. It is estimated that it will be the 4th most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2021.
In 2017, there were 15,206 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in Australia (8,173 males and 7,033 females). In 2021, it is estimated that 15,540 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (8,247 males and 7,293 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 19 (or 5.3%) risk of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 17 or 5.7% for males and 1 in 20 or 4.9% for females).
Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2021
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for the most common cancers diagnosed can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
In 2017, the age-standardised incidence rate was 53 cases per 100,000 persons (61 for males and 47 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will reduce to 50 cases per 100,000 persons (56 for males and 44 for females). The incidence rate for colorectal cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 85–89 years.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for colorectal cancer, 1982 to 2017, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about incidence rates for colorectal cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence)
The number of new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed increased from 6,994 (3,530 males and 3,464 females) in 1982 to 15,206 in 2017. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 58 cases per 100,000 persons (67 for males and 52 for females) in 1982 to 53 cases per 100,000 in 2017.
Deaths
In 2019, colorectal cancer was the 2nd most common cause of cancer death in Australia. It is estimated that it will remain the 2nd most common cause of death from cancer in 2021.
In 2019, there were 5,255 deaths from colorectal cancer in Australia (2,856 males and 2,399 females). In 2021, it is estimated that there will be 5,295 deaths (2,836 males and 2,459 females). In 2021, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 64 (or 1.6%) risk of dying from colorectal cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 56 or 1.8% for males and 1 in 74 or 1.4% for females).
Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2021
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for the most common causes of cancer death can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
In 2019, the age-standardised mortality rate was 17 deaths per 100,000 persons (20 for males and 14 for females). In 2021, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 16 deaths per 100,000 persons (19 for males and 13 for females). The mortality rate for colorectal cancer is expected to increase with age.
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for colorectal cancer, 1982 to 2019, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about mortality rates for colorectal cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality)
The number of deaths from colorectal cancer increased from 3,704 (1,873 males and 1,831 females) in 1982 to 5,255 in 2019. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 32 deaths per 100,000 persons (38 for males and 28 for females) in 1982 to 17 deaths per 100,000 in 2019.
Survival
In 2013–2017, individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer had a 70 % chance (70% for males and 71% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1988–1992 and 2013–2017, five-year relative survival for colorectal cancer improved from 53% to 70%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for colorectal cancer, 1988–1992 to 2013–2017, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2021 web report and supplementary data tables
- More information about 5-year relative survival rates for colorectal cancer over time, by age, sex, Indigenous status, remoteness, and socioeconomic status (SES) can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Relative survival rate’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/relative-survival-rate/5-year-relative-survival)
Prevalence
At the end of 2015, there were 13,691 people living who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer that year, 54,911 people living who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2012 to 2016) and 146,369 people living who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the previous 35 years (from 1982 to 2016).
For more information, see Colorectal cancer on the NCCI website
The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes. The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.