colorectal cancer in canada: stats, impact and resources
the number of people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in canada is decreasing, but not in all age groups.
9 minute read
in some cases, people with colorectal cancer are unaware that they have it because it doesn’t always present with symptoms.
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roughly 66 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer each day in canada. while the incidence rate of the disease dipped somewhat, from 26,900 cases in canada in 2020 to 24,100 cases in 2023, the prevalence of the disease is still high amongst the canadian population. colorectal cancer accounted for 10 per cent of all cancer cases and 11 per cent of all cancer deaths in the country in 2023.
people between the ages of 70 and 79 make up the most colorectal cancer cases in the country, with those above the age of 50 making up much of the rest. however, rates have been rising in those under 50.
elizabeth homes, senior manager of health policy at the canadian cancer society, told global news in march of last year that “the rates are reportedly increasing among adults younger than 50 in canada and the u.s.” before continuing, “this is certainly something that the cancer surveillance community is following.”
currently, screening protocols in the country are limited to adults over 50. still, with the rise of colorectal cancer in young adults, people who fall into higher-risk categories may be more inclined to test early and more often than others in their age group.
what is colorectal cancer?
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colorectal cancer begins in the cells of the rectum and colon and can spread to nearby tissues and organs if left untreated. the colon and rectum belong to the gastrointestinal system in the body, designed to absorb nutrients and water while getting rid of waste.
while colon and rectum cancer are not entirely the same cancer, they are often grouped into one category—colorectal—because there is no line or border between the two, and they both contain the same type of tissue.
changes in the colon can lead to non-cancerous tumours, precancerous conditions, and cancerous disease. typically, when cell changes occur within the colon or rectum and turn into cancer, these cell mutations begin in glands that line the areas. there are three types of colorectal cancer:
- adenocarcinoma, the most common type
- small cell carcinoma
- squamous cell carcinoma
in some cases, people with colorectal cancer are unaware that they have it because it doesn’t always present with symptoms. that is why screening is so important; like many other cancers, catching it early will improve survival odds.
when symptoms do develop, they can include:
- diarrhea
- constipation
- narrow-looking stools
- feeling like you have not completely emptied your bowels after having a bowel movement
- bright or dark red blood in the stool
- rectal bleeding
- an increase in gas, abdominal cramps, or bloating
- pain in the rectum
- feeling a lump in the rectum or abdomen
- fatigue
- weakness
- anemia
- nausea and vomiting
- loss of appetite
- weight loss without actively trying to lose weight
- bowel obstruction
- swollen lymph nodes
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)
- an enlarged liver
- ascites, which is a buildup of fluid in the abdomen
- issues with breathing
- pain that spreads in the back, buttocks, or legs
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a person with colorectal cancer may not experience all the symptoms mentioned above. typically, the symptoms don’t develop until the cancer has reached stage 2, which is when the localized tumour has begun to grow into nearby tissues, including the wall of the colon or rectum or other organs surrounding the area.
the other stages, stages 1, 3, and 4, are marked by tumour growth into the connective tissue in the colon or rectum, cancer cells have spread to nearby lymph nodes, and cancer has metastasized and spread to other parts of the body, respectively.
like other cancers, colorectal cancer is more likely to develop in specific individuals. this higher likelihood is attributed to risk factors, including:
- poor diet (high in red meat, processed foods, and alcohol and low in fibre, cooking meat at high temperatures, etc.)
- family or personal history of colorectal cancer
- personal history of other cancers, such as breast, ovarian, or uterine
- the presence of polyps in the colon or rectum
- other health conditions, including diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease (ibd), lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, overweight or obesity, and rare genetic conditions
- sedentary lifestyle
- smoking
- being of ashkenazi jewish descent
- being tall in adulthood
- exposure to ionizing radiation
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these factors do not guarantee that a person will develop colorectal cancer, but they do increase the likelihood of it happening, so early screening may be necessary for people in these groups.
current colorectal cancer statistics in canada
according to the canadian cancer society, colorectal cancer is the “4th most commonly diagnosed cancer in canada in 2023.” while it is still prevalent in the country, the change is a positive one. in 2020, it took the third spot for most diagnosed cancer in the country.
the number of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer in canada can be broken down into sexes, male or female, with male cases being slightly higher than females at 13,500 and 10,600 per year, respectively.
with a relatively high survival rate, at 66 per cent for men and 67 per cent for women, colorectal cancer treatment and diagnosed cases appear to be improving in the last few years. when looking back over a broader timeline, reports indicate that between 1984 and 2019, cases of colorectal cancer decreased by four per cent in males and 3.1 per cent in females. still, as many as 9,300 people will die from the cancer yearly.
while anything above 0 is still too high a number, these trends indicate that fewer people are being diagnosed and succumbing to the disease than historical numbers show. this is a good sign that screening measures and treatment options can improve outcomes. research states that falling rates could also be attributed to people smoking less and reducing their consumption of anti-inflammatory medications.
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while the overall numbers are dropping, as well as the number of people over 50 being diagnosed less than in the past, younger adult numbers of colorectal cancer cases are rising. according to data published in the journal current oncology, canadians who are 44 or younger are twice as likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer than the generations that came before them. this uptick in cases in younger adults is speculated to be caused by exposure to factors that increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer earlier in their lives.
socioeconomic status may also play a role, with rates rising in lower-income groups between the ages of 20 and 44 and higher-income groups between the ages of 45 and 49. younger adults are also more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of the disease, with 60 per cent of cases being diagnosed at stage 3 or 4 in people younger than 50.
this leads to the conclusion that screening measures may need to be adapted to suit the rising numbers of colorectal cancer in young people today.
impact of colorectal cancer on canadian society
the cost of colorectal cancer in canada impacts both societies at large and the individuals who are diagnosed with the disease. according to research, earlier screening measures, likely needed due to the rise in cases in younger adults, could burden the healthcare system significantly.
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the research shows that lowering the screening age to 40 or 45 could cost $649 million or $298 million, respectively. this includes both screening and the following treatment costs for those who end up being positive for colorectal cancer.
however, catching this type of cancer earlier can help offset any initial spending increase and save money in the long run. the money saved will be from a reduced need for treatment and palliative or end-of-life care for people with colorectal cancer.
increased screening measures to detect the disease early could save $719 million if started at age 45 and $1.1 billion if started at age 40.
on a more personal level, increasing the budget for earlier screening measures can also positively impact those with colorectal cancer. data shows that, when screened earlier, people diagnosed with the disease have an improved quality of life and additional years added to their lives.
social impact of colorectal cancer on mental health
being diagnosed with colorectal cancer is difficult. because the disease can be terminal, it can have a grave impact on a person’s mental health. research shows that even when people beat colorectal cancer, they are at an increased risk of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, and eating disorders.
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the impact that a diagnosis can have, even years after going into remission or removing cancer from the body altogether, can cause distress that drives the onset of new mental health disorders. the study mentioned above also found that premature death was higher in those with colorectal cancer and a mental health disorder.
the reasons behind the increase include fear of the cancer returning, having a negative body image, experiencing sexual dysfunction, and a lack of confidence in being able to manage the disease.
resources available for colorectal cancer in canada
when diagnosed with colorectal cancer, it’s vital to get acquainted with the resources available. specific organizations and online sites can help people with the disease navigate the muddy waters of treatment, self-care, and community help to make fighting the battle a little bit easier.
colorectal cancer canada is an online resource that can help people learn more about the disease and connect with others in the same boat. it has support group information and other support services for people in different demographics, such as those under 50 who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
their site also includes a downloadable patient journal to help people with colorectal cancer understand their disease better, prepare for their treatments, and store personal records and reflections during their experience.
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other resource options can be found here:
these resources are geared toward helping people diagnosed with colorectal cancer navigate their experience from treatment to recovery and everything in between.
the future of colorectal cancer in canada
while the number of colorectal cases has decreased in the last few decades, according to cancer care ontario, it’s estimated that starting in 2030, those rates will rise again. it’s thought that people between the ages of 40 and 79 will be the most affected by this rise in cases.
still, the data shows that the dip in cases in the last few years, from 64.1 per 100,000 in 2020 to 60.7 per 100,000 in 2030, will level off and not increase past those rates by 2040 but rather level back out to 63.9 per 100,000 in 2040.
while seeing an uptick in cases is detrimental to the overall picture of colorectal cancer in the country, it does indicate that rising rates do not mean that more cases will develop than ever before.
it’s important to note that these projections are also not set in stone but rather based on factors such as population forecasts and whether controllable risk factors are addressed by those most likely to develop colorectal cancer.
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the silver lining is that increasing screening measures can change these predictions significantly by reducing the number of late-stage disease diagnoses.
a press release by the ottawa hospital has also painted the picture of better therapies on the horizon, indicating that future predictions may be skewed. the latest viral therapy, designed to destroy colorectal cancer cells, has shown promise in lab tests by effectively shrinking colorectal cancer tumours, reducing the spread of cancer cells, and driving a heightened immune response to target colorectal cancer and tumours.
with better screening and improved therapies, canadians at a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, or those who are diagnosed, can have a better chance at beating the disease in the years to come than ever before.
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