Colorectal cancer: Scottish data

In Scotland, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men after prostate cancer and lung cancer. In women it is also the third most common cancer after breast cancer, and lung cancer.

Detailed statistics on colorectal cancer in Scotland are available as downloadable Excel files via the the Public Health Scotland website. Direct links to some of these Excel files are provided below.

Incidence

Excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, colorectal cancer accounts for 12.0% of all cancers diagnosed in men, and 9.8% of all cancers diagnosed in women.  Incidence rates of colorectal cancer increased in Scotland between the mid-1970s and the mid-late 1990s (Gray et al, 2002), but more recent data suggest that incidence rates have reached a plateau, and are starting to decrease in both males and females (see Chart 1
 Close ).

PHS publication and data: Cancer Incidence in Scotland  

Mortality

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men after lung cancer and prostate cancer, and the third most common in women after lung and breast cancer. The disease is uncommon below the age of 40. Thereafter, mortality increases quite steeply with age. Chart 2
 Close  shows that colorectal cancer mortality rates have generally been decreasing since 2000 and are lower in women then they are in men.

PHS data file: Colorectal cancer annual mortality (2156kb)

Survival

Relative survival from colorectal cancer has improved over recent decades, with 55% of patients now surviving to five years after diagnosis.

PHS publication and data: Cancer Survival in Scotland

Prevalence

Since colorectal cancer is relatively common and the prognosis is moderate, the prevalence of the disease is not insignificant, with 2.2% of men and 1.5% of women aged over 65 living with the disease.

PHS publication and data: Cancer Survival in Scotland

Lifetime Risk

Based on current rates of disease, an estimated 1 in 17 men, and 1 in 21 women develop colorectal cancer during their lifetime.

PHS publication and data: Cancer Survival in Scotland

Deprivation

Incidence and mortality are significantly higher among people living in areas of socioeconomic deprivation.

PHS publication and data: Cancer Survival in Scotland

Bowel Screening

The Scottish Bowel Screening Programme commenced a phased roll out in June 2007 and by December 2009 all NHS Boards in Scotland were participating in the Programme. All men and women registered with a Community Health Index (CHI) number and aged 50-74 years are invited to participate and be screened every two years. The latest data can be found in the Scottish bowel screening programme statistics publication.

Standardised rates

Please note all age sex standardised rates listed above are standardised using the 2013 European standard population. For more information, please consult Appendix I of the PHS publication Cancer Incidence in Scotland