Colorectal Cancer Screening in United States
United States
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United States Value:
61.8%
Percentage of adults ages 45-75 who reported receiving one or more of the recommended colorectal cancer screening tests within the recommended time interval (blood stool test within the past year; sigmoidoscopy within the past five years; colonoscopy within the past 10 years; stool DNA test within the past three years; virtual colonoscopy within the past five years or sigmoidoscopy within the past 10 years and blood stool test in the past year)
Colorectal Cancer Screening in depth:
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About Colorectal Cancer Screening
US Value: 61.8%
Top State(s): Maine: 68.9%
Bottom State(s): California: 52.4%
Definition: Percentage of adults ages 45-75 who reported receiving one or more of the recommended colorectal cancer screening tests within the recommended time interval (blood stool test within the past year; sigmoidoscopy within the past five years; colonoscopy within the past 10 years; stool DNA test within the past three years; virtual colonoscopy within the past five years or sigmoidoscopy within the past 10 years and blood stool test in the past year)
Data Source and Years(s): CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2022
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2024.
There is strong evidence that screening for colorectal cancer reduces mortality by removing precancerous growths and increasing early detection, which is optimal for effective treatment. Between their peak in 1985 and 2019, colorectal cancer incidence rates have decreased 46%.
The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts & Figures report projects more than 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer and over 53,000 colorectal cancer deaths in 2024.
According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, screening for colorectal cancer, which may include fecal sample testing, colonoscopy and/or sigmoidoscopy, is recommended for adults ages 45-75. Screening at earlier ages is recommended for those with particular risk factors or a family history of colorectal cancer.
Multiple studies have shown that screening for colorectal cancer is cost-effective compared with not screening.
According to America’s Health Rankings analysis, populations of adults ages 45-75 with a higher percentage of colorectal cancer screening include:
- White adults compared with Hispanic and Asian adults.
- College graduates compared with those with lower levels of educational attainment.
- Adults with an annual household income of $50,000 or more compared with those with incomes less than $25,000.
- Adults who have served in the U.S. armed forces compared with those who have not served.
There are many strategies to increase colorectal cancer screening. The Community Guide — a collection of evidence-based findings of the Community Preventive Services Task Force — recommends a multicomponent approach. The guide lists several strategies that work best when used in combination. These strategies include:
- Media campaigns to increase awareness.
- Client reminders.
- Cost reduction.
- Addressing language and transportation barriers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has implemented a Colorectal Cancer Control Program to increase screening for targeted groups. The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable has resources for increasing colorectal cancer screening rates in primary care.
Additionally, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps recommends using patient navigators, also called system navigators, to help guide patients through medical, insurance and social support systems.
Healthy People 2030 has an objective of increasing the proportion of adults who receive recommended colorectal cancer screening.
American Cancer Society. “Cancer Facts & Figures 2024.” Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society, 2024. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2024/2024-cancer-facts-and-figures-acs.pdf.
American Cancer Society. “Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2020-2022.” Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society, 2020. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures-2020-2022.pdf.
DeGroff, Amy, Krishna Sharma, Anamika Satsangi, Kristy Kenney, Djenaba Joseph, Katherine Ross, Steven Leadbetter, et al. “Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening in Health Care Systems Using Evidence-Based Interventions.” Preventing Chronic Disease 15 (August 9, 2018): 180029. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd15.180029.
Patel, Shaan S., and Meredith L. Kilgore. “Cost Effectiveness of Colorectal Cancer Screening Strategies.” Cancer Control: Journal of the Moffitt Cancer Center 22, no. 2 (April 2015): 248–58. https://doi.org/10.1177/107327481502200219.
Siegel, Rebecca L., Nikita Sandeep Wagle, Andrea Cercek, Robert A. Smith, and Ahmedin Jemal. “Colorectal Cancer Statistics, 2023.” CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians 73, no. 3 (May 2023): 233–54. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21772.
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