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

Bowel cancer was the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2018. It is estimated that it will become the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2022.

In 2018, there were 15,610 new cases of bowel cancer diagnosed in Australia (8,490 males and 7,120 females). In 2022, it is estimated that 15,713 new cases of bowel cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (8,300 males and 7,413 females). In 2022, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 19 (or 5.2%) risk of being diagnosed with bowel cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 18 or 5.6% for males and 1 in 21 or 4.8% for females).

Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2022

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2018, the age-standardised incidence rate was 54 cases per 100,000 persons (62 for males and 46 for females). In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 49 cases per 100,000 persons (55 for males and 44 for females). The incidence rate for bowel cancer is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 85–89 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for colorectal cancer, 1982 to 2018, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 bowel cancer diagnosed increased from 6,996 (3,530 males and 3,466 females) in 1982 to 15,610 in 2018. 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 54 cases per 100,000 in 2018.

Deaths

In 2020, bowel 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 2022.

In 2020, there were 5,354 deaths from bowel cancer in Australia (2,847 males and 2,507 females). In 2022, it is estimated that there will be 5,326 deaths (2,839 males and 2,487 females). In 2022, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 66 (or 1.5%) risk of dying from colorectal cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 58 or 1.7% for males and 1 in 76 or 1.3% for females).

Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2022

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2020, the age-standardised mortality rate was 16 deaths per 100,000 persons (19 for males and 14 for females). In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 15 deaths per 100,000 persons (18 for males and 13 for females). The mortality rate for bowel cancer is expected to increase with age.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for colorectal cancer, 1982 to 2020, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 bowel cancer increased from 3,704 (1,873 males and 1,831 females) in 1982 to 5,354 in 2020. 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 16 deaths per 100,000 in 2020. 

Survival

In 2014–2018, individuals diagnosed with bowel cancer had a 71% chance (70% for males and 72% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1989–1993 and 2014–2018, five-year relative survival for bowel cancer improved from 54% to 71%. 

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for colorectal cancer, 1989–1993 to 2014–2018, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 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 2017, there were 13,471 people living who had been diagnosed with bowel cancer that year, 55,387 people living who had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2013 to 2017) and 150,098 people living who had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in the previous 36 years (from 1982 to 2017).

For more information, see Bowel 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.