Adult Cancer Incidence
According to the American Cancer Society, cancer affects one in three Americans in their lifetime. We aimed to trend how cancer screenings and diagnoses have changed over time, and how they were influenced by the pandemic. Our data tracker shows the quarterly rates of overall and advanced cancer diagnoses over the past five years to understand overall trends in cancer, including breakdowns for specific cancer types.
Trends Over Time
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer-related death in the U.S. In 2021, colorectal cancer screening guidelines expanded to include younger patients in an effort to increase early identification of potential colorectal cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer diagnoses have dropped since the 1980s, partially due to increased screenings.
Colorectal Cancer Cases
Q1 2026
Quarterly rates of new cancer diagnoses per 100,000 patients.
Advanced Colorectal Cancer Cases
Q1 2026
Quarterly rates of new advanced cancer diagnoses per 100,000 patients.
Colorectal Cancer Screenings
Q1 2026
Quarterly rates of screenings per 100,000 patients.
Colorectal Polyp Cases
Q1 2026
Quarterly rates of colorectal polyp cases detected per 100,000 patients.
Metric Definitions
- Numerator
- The number of distinct patients identified in that quarter having the event of interest (Cancer Diagnosis, Cancer Screening, Pre-Cancer Diagnosis, or Advanced Cancer). Patients are excluded if they have previously had a Cancer Diagnosis of that type. Departments must contribute data for the entire study period to be included.
- Denominator
- The number of distinct patients identified in that quarter having an in-person encounter. Departments must contribute data for the entire study period to be included.
- Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis
- A diagnosis with ICD-10-CM code of C18*, C19, C20.
- Advanced Cancer
- Advanced cancer cases are defined as either a Metastatic Diagnosis within 3 months after an initial Cancer Diagnosis, or the cancer classified as Stage 4 within 3 months after an initial Cancer Diagnosis of the same type.
- Colorectal Cancer Screening
- A procedure with HCPCS code of G0328 or a lab with LOINC code of 14563-1, 14564-9, 14565-6, 2335-8, 27396-1, 29771-3, 50196-5, 57803-9, 58453-2, 57905-2, 56490-6, 56491-4, 80372-6, 12504-7, 27926-5, 27401-9, 12503-9, 27925-10.
- Colorectal Polyp
- A diagnosis with ICD-10-CM code of D12.0, D12.1, D12.2, D12.13, D12.4, D12.5, D12.6, D12.7, D12.8, K63.5, K51.40, K51.411, K51.412, K51.413, K51.414, K51.418.
- Metastatic Diagnosis
- A diagnosis with ICD-10-CM code of C7B*, C78*, C79*, C77*.
Related Articles
ExpandColorectal Cancer Screening Rates on the Rise Following Guideline Expansion
Since USPSTF updated its guidelines in 2021, there has been an increase in colorectal cancer screening rates, most significantly in 45–49-year-olds. There has also been an increase in polyp and colorectal cancer diagnoses in 45–49-year-olds.
ExpandDNA Stool Tests for Colorectal Cancer Screening Growing in Popularity, Especially for Patients Under Age 50
The use of DNA stool tests for colorectal cancer screening has increased nine-fold since 2018, rising from 3% of screenings in the first quarter of 2018 to 27% of screenings in the second quarter of 2023.
ExpandProjected Colorectal Cancer Detection Rates in Adults Under Age 45
Based on colorectal cancer detection rates among more than 3 million screening-eligible adults, our model estimates that at age 40 approximately 111 cancers would be detected per 100,000 screenings, compared with 159 per 100,000 screenings at age 45, the current recommended starting age. Based on the model, this equates to nearly 44% more 40-year-olds needing to be screened to detect one colorectal cancer (CRC) case compared to the number of 45-year-olds who would need to be screened.
