Colorectal Cancer (CRC): Epidemiology Report and Forecast to 2035

Explore colorectal cancer epidemiology across 8 major markets, with 10-year forecasts of diagnosed cases, patient demographics, disease stages and molecular markers.

Why Does the Colorectal Cancer Market Matter?

Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as bowel cancer, is a gastrointestinal malignancy affecting the colon, rectum or rectosigmoid junction. It is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers globally and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. In 2024, approximately 2 million new cases and 918,000 deaths were recorded worldwide, making it the third most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second deadliest after lung cancer.

Understanding the evolving colorectal cancer patient population is essential for companies developing and commercializing oncology therapies. Changes in diagnosed incidence, survival rates and population dynamics are expected to increase the number of patients across major markets.

GlobalData’s Colorectal Cancer Epidemiology Analysis provides a 10-year forecast of diagnosed incident and five-year diagnosed prevalent cases across the eight major markets (8MM): the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan and urban China. It examines patient populations by age, disease stage, molecular subtype and biomarker profile to help businesses assess patient needs and identify opportunities for CRC therapeutics.

Key Insights in the Colorectal Cancer Market

• Rising diagnosed incidence: Diagnosed incident cases across the 8MM are forecast to increase from 914,439 in 2025 to 1,121,336 in 2035, representing an annual growth rate (AGR) of 2.26%.
• Growing diagnosed prevalence: Five-year diagnosed prevalent cases are expected to rise from 2,984,220 in 2025 to 3,643,843 in 2035, at an AGR of 2.21%.
• Urban China leads diagnosed incidence: Urban China is forecast to record the highest number of diagnosed incident cases in the 8MM in 2035, at 475,817, while France is expected to record the fewest, at 56,309.
• Age-specific patient segmentation: Diagnosed incident cases are analysed across seven age groups, from 18–29 years to 80 years and older.
• Molecular and biomarker diversity: The analysis covers MSS/pMMR and MSI-H/dMMR subtypes, alongside key genetic mutations, gene fusions, amplifications and other molecular markers.
• Disease stage and recurrence: Patient populations are segmented by AJCC stage at diagnosis, including stages I–IV, with additional analysis of recurrence from stages I–III into stage IV disease.

Scope

What Will You Learn from This Colorectal Cancer Epidemiology Report?

This report provides detailed epidemiological insights and a 10-year forecast across the eight major markets, including:

• Diagnosed incident cases: Historical trends and forecasts of new colorectal cancer diagnoses across the 8MM.
• Five-year diagnosed prevalent cases: Forecast patient populations over the 10-year period.
• Patient demographics: Diagnosed incident cases segmented by age group across each market.
• Molecular subtypes: Patient populations with microsatellite stable/proficient mismatch repair (MSS/pMMR) and microsatellite instability-high/mismatch repair-deficient (MSI-H/dMMR) disease.
• AJCC disease staging: Diagnosed cases segmented across stages I, IIA, IIB, IIC, IIIA, IIIB, IIIC, IVA, IVB and IVC.
• Molecular markers and biomarkers: Analysis of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, BRAF V600E, PIK3CA/PTEN, HER2, MET, NTRK, RET, DPYD, TMB, CEA, UGT1A1, POLE, TP53, APC and PD-L1, alongside left-sided and right-sided tumours.
• Disease recurrence: Assessment of recurrence from stages I–III into stage IV disease.
• Risk factors and comorbidities: An overview of factors associated with colorectal cancer, supported by global and historical epidemiological trends.

Who Should Buy This Colorectal Cancer Epidemiology Report?

This analysis is relevant to organisations and professionals involved in colorectal cancer treatment development, commercial strategy and oncology market assessment, including:

• Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies: Assess patient population trends and identify opportunities for colorectal cancer therapeutic development and commercialisation.
• Oncology research and development teams: Understand the distribution of patients across molecular subtypes, biomarkers and disease stages.
• Commercial and marketing teams: Identify patient segments and markets that may offer opportunities for CRC therapies.
• Market access and pricing teams: Use patient population estimates to support product pricing, market access and launch planning.
• Business development and strategic planning teams: Evaluate epidemiological trends to inform investment decisions, portfolio planning and market entry strategies.
• Healthcare and life sciences analysts: Assess the changing burden of colorectal cancer across major markets.
  

  

How Companies Use This Colorectal Cancer Analysis

Companies can use the epidemiological forecasts and patient segmentation to support strategic and commercial decisions:

• Refine product development strategies: Quantify patient populations by age, disease stage and molecular profile to inform therapeutic development priorities.
• Assess market opportunities: Compare diagnosed incident and prevalent cases across the 8MM to identify markets with larger or growing patient populations.
• Support pricing and launch planning: Use patient population estimates to inform product design, pricing strategies and launch plans.
• Prioritise patient segments: Identify age groups, disease stages and molecular subtypes that may represent relevant opportunities for CRC therapeutics.
• Strengthen commercial planning: Organise sales and marketing activities around the distribution and projected growth of diagnosed patient populations.

Reasons to Buy

Benchmark the Colorectal Cancer Landscape

Compare colorectal cancer epidemiology across the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan and urban China using a consistent forecasting methodology.

The report draws on national and country-specific cancer registries and population-based studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Its standardised methodology supports meaningful comparisons of diagnosed incident and five-year diagnosed prevalent cases across all eight markets.

Built on GlobalData Intelligence

GlobalData’s epidemiological analysis combines country-level patient population data, historical trends and forecast modelling to provide a structured view of colorectal cancer across major markets.

The analysis covers risk factors, comorbidities, age distribution, disease stages, molecular subtypes and biomarker profiles. Its 10-year forecast provides insight into how diagnosed incidence and prevalence may evolve through 2035.

Act Now to Identify Opportunities in Colorectal Cancer

With diagnosed incident and five-year prevalent cases expected to increase across the 8MM, understanding the size and characteristics of the colorectal cancer patient population is increasingly important for therapeutic strategy and commercial planning.

Use GlobalData’s Colorectal Cancer Epidemiology Analysis to quantify patient populations, compare market-level trends and assess opportunities across disease stages, age groups and molecular subtypes.