Understanding Colorectal Cancer

How Long Will I Live With Colorectal Cancer? 

This is the fifth article in the Understanding Colorectal Cancer Guide. This guide was developed by the HealthTree Education Team and was last updated and reviewed on April 3rd, 2026. 

Colorectal cancer causes cells in the colon or rectum to grow too fast and form a tumor. This page explains how many people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year and what survival statistics look like.

For many people, one of the first questions after a colorectal cancer diagnosis is "what is my prognosis?" or "how long will I live with colorectal cancer?" It is important to remember that every person is different, and researchers are always studying new treatments. Statistics describe groups of people. They cannot predict what will happen for any one individual.

It is also important to remember that these statistics tell us about groups of people, not individuals. Statistics can be hard to understand. Always talk to your doctor about your specific diagnosis and what these statistics mean for you.

How common is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women in the United States, and the second leading cause of cancer death when men and women are combined.

In the United States, there were an estimated 154,270 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2025. About 52,900 are estimated to have died of colorectal cancer in the United States in 2025¹. Globally, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide.

It is also worth noting that colorectal cancer rates are rising among adults under 50, even as rates decline in older adults. Researchers are actively studying why this is happening.

What is the survival rate for colorectal cancer?

Researchers use a statistic called the relative survival rate to understand how long most people live after a specific cancer diagnosis. This number compares people with the disease to people without it.

As an example: imagine two groups of 100 people. Group A does not have cancer. Group B does. After 5 years, 90 people in Group A are still alive. In Group B, 65 people are still alive. The 5-year relative survival rate would be about 72% — because 65 is 72% of 90.

As an example, let’s compare two imaginary groups of 100 people. Group A does not have cancer. Group B does have cancer. After five years, 90 people in Group A are still alive. In Group B, 60 people are still alive. This means that the 5-year relative survival rate for the cancer is 66.7%. This is because 66.7% of 90 is 60.

The overall 5-year relative survival rate for colorectal cancer in the United States is approximately 65%. However, survival rates vary significantly by stage at diagnosis:

• Localized (cancer has not spread outside the colon or rectum): ~91% 5-year survival
• Regional (cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues): ~72% 5-year survival
• Distant (cancer has spread to other organs such as the liver or lungs): ~15% 5-year survival

These numbers highlight why early detection through screening is so important. Colorectal cancer caught early is much more likely to be cured.

It is also important to remember that relative survival rates reflect data collected over the past 5 years. These numbers may not include the most recent advances in treatment. New therapies are improving outcomes for many patients. Always talk to your doctor about what these statistics mean for your specific situation.

Is colorectal cancer curable?

When colorectal cancer is caught early, before it has spread, it is often curable with surgery. Even in more advanced stages, treatment can help control the cancer and significantly extend life. For some people with metastatic colorectal cancer, long-term remission is possible with newer targeted therapies and immunotherapy. Researchers continue to make advances that improve outcomes for patients at all stages.

It is also important to remember that relative survival rates are measured every 5 years. That means this percentage may not include recent advances in treatments. 

SOURCES: 
1. National Cancer Institute Cancer Stat Facts: Colorectal Cancer