Colorectal Cancer

CRC stage, Treatment, and Prognosis

CRC stage at diagnosis¹

5-year relative survival rates by stage in the US

CRC, colorectal cancer; SEER, Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results.

1. National Cancer Institute. Cancer of the Colon and Rectum - Cancer Stat Facts. SEER 21 (Excluding IL) 2015–2021, All Races, Both Sexes by SEER Combined Summary Stage. Accessed August 2025. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect.html

CRC stage²	Treatment²
Stage I	Surgery
Stage II	Neoadjuvant therapy Surgery Adjuvant chemotherapy
Stage III	Neoadjuvant Chemo or immunotherapy Surgery Adjuvant chemotherapy Chemoradiation Adjuvant radiation
Stage IV	Ablation or embolization (liver metastases) Radiation therapy Chemotherapy Targeted therapy Immunotherapy Surgery

2. American Cancer Society. Treatment of Colon Cancer by Stage. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/treating/by-stage-colon.html (accessed August 2025).

Risk Factors and Health Disparities

Health Disparities in Colorectal Cancer (CRC)

General Risks¹

Family History: Individuals with a family history of CRC or adenomatous polyps are at increased risk
Genetic Syndromes: Conditions such as Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) significantly elevate risk
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Chronic conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease increase the likelihood of developing CRC
Diabetes: Type 2 Diabetes

High Risk Communities¹

American Indian and Alaska Native populations have the highest colorectal cancer rates and are often diagnosed at later stages
According to the American Cancer Society: African Americans are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and about 40% more likely to die from it
States with the highest Colorectal cancer rates include: West Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana

Contributors to Health Disparities²

Limited Access: Challenges in accessing testing and quality healthcare services
Lack of Awareness: Insufficient knowledge about available screening methods
Genetic Factors: Unfamiliarity with family history related to colon cancer genetics
Cultural Competence: Health systems may lack cultural awareness and trust with patients
Research Participation: Low engagement in clinical research among affected communities

General Risk Factors for Developing Colon Cancer¹

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Genetic Syndromes

Family History

Type 2 Diabetes

These are AI generated images.

1.Infographic: Colorectal Cancer: Catching It Early | American Cancer Society. www.cancer.org. Accessed November 19, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/prevention-infographic.html

2.Jackson CS, et al. J Gastrointest Oncol. 2015;7(Suppl 1):S32-S43.

Communities at Higher Risk of developing Colon Cancer

This is an AI generated image.

Early Onset Colorectal Cancer Rates Are Rising And Young Patients Are Diagnosed With More Advanced Disease in the US

Colon and Rectum Cancer
Recent Trends in SEER Age-Adjusted Incidence Rates¹

71% diagnosed with stage III/IV disease²

41% waited >6 months before seeking medical attention.²

67% saw 2 or more physicians prior to diagnosis.²

SEER, Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.

1. SEER*Explorer Application. seer.cancer.gov. Accessed January 28, 2026. https://seer.cancer.gov/statistics-network/explorer/application.html?site=20&data_type=1&graph_type=2&compareBy=sex&chk_sex_3=3&chk_sex_2=2&rate_type=2&race=1&age_range=9&stage=101&advopt_precision=1&advopt_show_ci=on#resultsRegion0

2. Ng K. The Rise of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer. Presented at Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program 2019.

Screening

What You Need to Know About CRC Screening

Why should you get regular CRC screening?¹

To identify symptoms and risk for prevention of colorectal cancer early and initiate treatment that can prolong survival
For example, colonoscopy screening can potentially prevent colorectal cancer by finding and removing precancerous polyps during the procedure

When should you get screened?²

Average-risk individuals should begin regular screening at age 45.
High-risk individuals should start screening before age 45 and do so more frequently.
Healthy individuals should continue screening until age 75.
Those aged 75-85 should consider screening based on personal preferences, life expectancy, health status, and past screening history.
Individuals over 85 should discontinue screening.

Is screening covered by insurance?³

Colorectal cancer screening is a preventive service that most health plans must cover

1. Screening for Colorectal Cancer. CDC. Published February 26, 2025. Accessed January 29, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer/screening/

2. Colorectal Cancer - Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging. www.cancer.org. Published January 29, 2024. Accessed January 29, 2026. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging.html

3. Insurance Coverage for Colorectal Cancer Screening. www.cancer.org. Published March 20, 2023. Accessed February 28, 2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/screening-coverage-laws.html

Types of Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests^1-3

	Colonoscopy*	Flexible Sigmoidoscopy	Virtual Colonoscopy	gFOBT	FIT*	Cologuard (FIT+DNA)

What is it?	The rectum and entire colon are checked, and pre-cancerous polyps can be removed at the same time	Similar to a colonoscopy, but only the rectum and lower third of the colon are checked	The colon and rectum are examined using x-rays and CT imaging	The guaiac-based fecal occult blood test detects blood in the stool	The fecal immuno-chemical test uses antibodies to detect blood in the stool	Cologuard detects blood and altered DNA in the stool
Pre-screen requirements	Bowel prep is required	Bowel prep is required	Bowel prep is required	Dietary restrictions apply	No dietary restrictions or bowel prep	No dietary restrictions or bowel prep
Is it invasive?	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Where is it performed?	Outpatient surgical center or hospital	Outpatient surgical center or hospital	Outpatient surgical center or hospital	At home and sent to lab	At home and sent to lab	At home and sent to lab
When should it be repeated?	Every 10 years, if normal	Every 5 years, if normal	Every 5 years, if normal	Every year	Every year	Every 3 years, if normal

🛈 Swipe/tap arrow to view further content.

Colonoscopy*

What is it?
The rectum and entire colon are checked, and pre-cancerous polyps can be removed at the same time
Pre-screen requirements
Bowel prep is required
Is it invasive?
Yes
Where is it performed?
Outpatient surgical center or hospital
When should it be repeated?
Every 10 years, if normal

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

What is it?
Similar to a colonoscopy, but only the rectum and lower third of the colon are checked
Pre-screen requirements
Bowel prep is required
Is it invasive?
Yes
Where is it performed?
Outpatient surgical center or hospital
When should it be repeated?
Every 5 years, if normal

Virtual Colonoscopy

What is it?
The colon and rectum are examined using x-rays and CT imaging
Pre-screen requirements
Bowel prep is required
Is it invasive?
No
Where is it performed?
Outpatient surgical center or hospital
When should it be repeated?
Every 5 years, if normal

gFOBT

What is it?
The guaiac-based fecal occult blood test detects blood in the stool
Pre-screen requirements
Dietary restrictions apply
Is it invasive?
No
Where is it performed?
At home and sent to lab
When should it be repeated?
Every year

FIT*

What is it?
The fecal immuno-chemical test uses antibodies to detect blood in the stool
Pre-screen requirements
No dietary restrictions or bowel prep
Is it invasive?
No
Where is it performed?
At home and sent to lab
When should it be repeated?
Every year

Cologuard (FIT+DNA)

What is it?
Cologuard detects blood and altered DNA in the stool
Pre-screen requirements
No dietary restrictions or bowel prep
Is it invasive?
No
Where is it performed?
At home and sent to lab
When should it be repeated?
Every 3 years, if normal

*American College of Gastroenterology recommended as primary screening modalities.

1. Screening for Colorectal Cancer. CDC. Published February 26, 2025. Accessed January 29, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/colorectal-cancer/screening/

2. Shaukat A, et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(3):458-479.

3. US Preventive Services Task Force, et al. JAMA. 2021;325(19):1965-1977.

Welcome to Bayer US Medical Affairs

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer