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 of other digestive organs): Incidence (C18–C20), mortality (C18–C20, C26.0)
Estimated number of new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in 2019
16,398 = 
9,069males + 
7,329 females
Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2019
11%
Estimated number of deaths from colorectal cancer in 2019
5,597 = 3,009 males + 2,588 females
Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2019
11%
Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2011–2015)
70%
People living with colorectal cancer at the end of 2014 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2010 to 2014)
54,046
New cases
Colorectal cancer was the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2015. It is estimated that it will remain the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2019.
In 2015, there were 15,604 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in Australia (8,573 males and 7,031 females). In 2019, it is estimated that 16,398 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (9,069 males and 7,329 females). In 2019, it is estimated that the risk of an individual being diagnosed with colorectal cancer by their 85th birthday will be 1 in 14 (1 in 12 males and 1 in 17 females).
Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed, 2019
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW 2018 Cancer Data in Australia, ACIM books, and Cancer in Australia 2019 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 2015, the age-standardised incidence rate was 57 cases per 100,000 persons (67 for males and 49 for females). In 2019, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will reduce to 54 cases per 100,000 persons (63 for males and 46 for females). The incidence rate for colorectal cancer is expected to increase with age, peaking at age group 80–84.
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for colorectal cancer, 1982 to 2015, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW 2018 Cancer Data in Australia, ACIM books, and Cancer in Australia 2019 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 15,604 in 2015. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased steadily from 58 cases per 100,000 persons (67 for males and 52 for females) in 1982 to a peak of 66 cases per 100,000 in 2000 (81 for males and 54 for females) and 2001 (79 for males and 56 for females) before decreasing to 57 cases per 100,000 in 2015.
Deaths
In 2016, colorectal cancer was the 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 2019.
In 2016, there were 5,375 deaths from colorectal cancer in Australia (2,936 males and 2,439 females). In 2019, it is estimated that there will be 5,597 deaths (3,009 males and 2,588 females). In 2019, it is estimated that the risk of an individual dying from colorectal cancer by their 85th birthday will be 1 in 43 (1 in 37 males and 1 in 51 females).
Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death, 2019
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW 2018 Cancer Data in Australia, ACIM books, and Cancer in Australia 2019 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 2016, the age-standardised mortality rate was 19 deaths per 100,000 persons (23 for males and 15 for females). In 2019, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 18 deaths per 100,000 persons (21 for males and 15 for females). The mortality rate for colorectal cancer is expected to increase with age.
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for colorectal cancer, 1968 to 2016, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW 2018 Cancer Data in Australia, ACIM books, and Cancer in Australia 2019 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 2,500 (1,218 males and 1,282 females) in 1968 to 5,375 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 31 deaths per 100,000 persons (36 for males and 28 for females) in 1968 to 19 deaths per 100,000 in 2016.
Survival
In 2011–2015, individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer both males and females had a 70% chance of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1986–1990 and 2011–2015, five-year relative survival from colorectal cancer improved from 52% to 70%.
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival from colorectal cancer, 1986–1990 to 2011–2015, by sex
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW 2018 Cancer Data in Australia, ACIM books, and Cancer in Australia 2019 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 2014, there were 13,272 people living who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer that year, 54,046 people living who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2010 to 2014) and 138,072 people living who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the previous 33 years (from 1982 to 2014).
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.
