March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

join with the aacr to find better ways to prevent and treat colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, behind only lung cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 152,810 people in the United States received a diagnosis of colon or rectal cancer in 2024, and approximately 53,010 died of it.

Colorectal cancer awareness is important because many cases of cancer of the colon or rectum are preventable. Screening by colonoscopy can help prevent this cancer because precancerous polyps found during the procedure can be removed at the same time. Furthermore, colonoscopy can also detect the cancer at early stages, when treatment is more likely to be successful.

The five-year relative survival rate for cancer localized to the colon or rectum is 91.1%, according to the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. The survival rate drops significantly as the cancer spreads beyond those organs. Considering all cases, the five-year survival rate is 65%.

Cancer of the colon or rectum is more common in men than women. It is also more common among American Indians/Alaska Natives than people of other races. The median age of diagnosis in the United States is 66 years, while about 78% of newly diagnosed patients are aged 55 and older. 

Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in people under the age of 50, which is called “early onset.” The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer has increased about 2% per year since 1994. The AACR’s official blog, Cancer Research Catalyst, discusses this trend here: Seeking Clues to Early-onset Colorectal Cancer. 

Factors contributing to an increase in early-onset colorectal cancer, according to the AACR Cancer Progress Report 2024, include:

  • Unhealthy diet and the microbiome
  • Obesity
  • Chemicals in the environment
  • Use of antibiotics
  • Consumption of alcoholic beverages
  • Sedentary behaviors

To reduce the risk of cancer, according to the AACR Cancer Progress Report, consumption of red meat should be limited to no more than three servings (a total of 12 to 18 ounces) a week, and shouldn’t include processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, and salami, because these foods can increase the risk of colorectal cancer, among others. On the other hand, a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and fish can help lower the risk of developing certain cancers and many other chronic conditions.

One Person’s Story

Brian Beck of Ethridge, Tennessee, is living with stage 4 colon cancer thanks to timely detection and participation in clinical trials of new therapies. Several years after his diagnosis, he’s still able to work full time. Read his story in the AACR Cancer Progress Report 2023: Brian Beck: Living with Stage IV Colon Cancer, Thanks to Clinical Trials and Research.

the latest on colorectal cancer

  • Researchers are studying if a vaccine could help reduce the risk of adenoma recurrence, which can increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Individuals with a history of adenomas often see these polyps grow back after removal during colonoscopies. Learn more in this post on Cancer Research Catalyst.
  • Researchers are examining ways the gut microbiome can help detect early signs of colorectal cancer to boost antitumor immunity and to plug leaks following surgery. Learn more in this post on Cancer Research Catalyst.
  • Colorectal cancer awareness has led to greater use of at-home screening tests like Cologuard and FIT. These widely used tests are equally effective. However, FIT is a fraction of the cost of Cologuard. Read more in Cancer Today: Comparing Costs of At-Home Colorectal Screening Tests.

What the AACR is Doing in the Area of colorectal cancer research

The AACR awards research grants to investigators pursuing promising research related to colorectal cancer. Recent grants include:

  • AACR Maximizing Opportunity for New Advancements in Research in Cancer (MONARCA) Grant for Latin America to Pedro Pires Goulart Guimaraes, PhD, of Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil, to study the potential of nanoparticle-based mRNA delivery for CAR T-cell therapy against solid tumors.
  • AACR Gertrude B. Elion Cancer Research Award to Peter M.K. Westcott, PhD, of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York, to elucidate the pioneering molecular and cellular events underlying early-onset colorectal cancer.
  • AACR-MPM Oncology Charitable Foundation Transformative Cancer Research Grant to Karin Pelka, PhD, of Gladstone Institutes in California, for her work to improve immunotherapy in colorectal cancer.

for more information

Please see our page on Colorectal Cancer, which includes detailed information on prevention, screening, and treatment.