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).

New cases

Colorectal cancer was the 3rd most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2016. It is estimated that it will be the 4th most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2020.

In 2016, there were 15,352 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in Australia (8,390 males and 6,962 females). In 2020, it is estimated that 15,494 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (8,340 males and 7,154 females).

Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed, 2020

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 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 2016, the age-standardised incidence rate was 55 cases per 100,000 persons (64 for males and 48 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will reduce to 51 cases per 100,000 persons (58 for males and 44 for females). The incidence rate for colorectal cancer is expected to increase with age.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for colorectal cancer, 1982 to 2016, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 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 (3,529 males and 3,465 females) in 1982 to 15,352 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased slightly from 58 cases per 100,000 persons (67 for males and 52 for females) in 1982 to 55 cases per 100,000 in 2016.

Deaths

In 2018, 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 2020.

In 2018, there were 5,336 deaths from colorectal cancer in Australia (2,870 males and 2,466 females). In 2020, it is estimated that there will be 5,322 deaths (2,828 males and 2,494 females).

Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death, 2020

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 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 2018, the age-standardised mortality rate was 18 deaths per 100,000 persons (21 for males and 15 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 17 deaths per 100,000 persons (19 for males and 14 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 2018, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 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 5,336 in 2018. 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 18 deaths per 100,000 in 2018. 

Survival

In 2012–2016, 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 1987–1991 and 2012–2016, five-year relative survival for colorectal cancer improved from 52% to 70%.

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for colorectal cancer, 1987–1991 to 2012–2016, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 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 13,778 people living who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer that year, 54,520 people living who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2011 to 2015) and 142,274 people living who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the previous 34 years (from 1982 to 2015).

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.