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).
New cases
Colorectal cancer was the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2021. It is estimated that it will be the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2025.
In 2021, there were 14,904 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in Australia (7,930 males and 6,974 females). In 2025, it is estimated that 14,784 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (7,761 males and 7,023 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 23 (or 4.3%) risk of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 21 or 4.7% for males and 1 in 25 or 4.0% for females).
Graph: statistics-colorectal-cancer-figure-1-estimated-cancer-incidence-persons-2025
In 2021, the age-standardised incidence rate was 59 cases per 100,000 persons (67 for males and 53 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 53 cases per 100,000 persons (60 for males and 48 for females). The incidence rate for colorectal cancer is expected to increase with age.
Graph: statistics-colorectal-cancer-figure-2-age-standardised-incidence-rates-2025
The number of new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed increased from 6,998 (3,533 males and 3,465 females) in 1982 to 14,904 in 2021. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 74 cases per 100,000 persons (86 for males and 66 for females) in 1982 to 59 cases per 100,000 persons in 2021.
Deaths
In 2023, colorectal cancer was the second most common cause of cancer death in Australia. It is estimated that it will remain the second most common cause of death from cancer in 2025.
In 2023, there were 5,372 deaths from colorectal cancer in Australia (2,832 males and 2,540 females). In 2025, it is estimated that there will be 5,235 deaths (2,712 males and 2,523 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 78 (or 1.3%) risk of dying from colorectal cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 70 or 1.4% for males and 1 in 88 or 1.1% for females).
Graph: statistics-colorectal-cancer-figure-3-estimated-cancer-mortality-persons-2025
In 2023, the age-standardised mortality rate was 21 deaths per 100,000 persons (24 for males and 18 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 19 deaths per 100,000 persons (22 for males and 17 for females). The mortality rate for colorectal cancer is expected to increase with age.
Graph: statistics-colorectal-cancer-figure-4-age-standardised-mortality-rates-2025
The number of deaths from colorectal cancer increased from 3,704 (1,873 males and 1,831 females) in 1982 to 5,372 persons in 2023. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 43 deaths per 100,000 persons (50 for males and 37 for females) in 1982 to 21 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2023.
Survival
In 2017–2021, individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer had a 72% chance (71% for males and 72% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2017–2021, five-year relative survival for colorectal cancer increased from 52% to 72%.
Graph: statistics-colorectal-cancer-figure-5-5-year-relative-survival-2025
Prevalence
At the end of 2021, there were 13,119 people living who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer that year, 55,995 people living who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2017 to 2021), and 163,675 people living who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the previous 40 years (from 1982 to 2021).
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.
