Minnesota Cancer Reporting System (MCRS)
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Colorectal Cancer in Minnesota
On this page (Mobile phone users, turn phone sideways for best viewing):
Risk Factors
Screening Guidelines
Screening Data
Survival Data
Rates over time
Rates by age, region, and race
County level data
Download county level data
Download race data
Colorectal Cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Minnesota
Colorectal cancer (CRC) occurs in the colon or the rectum, which make up the large intestine and are part of the digestive system. Depending on where the cancer occurs, it is referred to as either colon or rectal cancer. Most colorectal cancers begin as a non-cancerous polyp on the inner lining of the colon or rectum and develop slowly. The most common type is adenocarcinoma, which accounts for more than 95% of colorectal cancers.
Risk Factors for colorectal cancer
Click on each risk factor to learn more
- Factors you CANNOT control:
More than 90% of cases occur in people who are 50 years old or older.
Risk is higher in first degree relatives (parent, child, sibling) of persons diagnosed with polyps/colorectal cancer.
Risk is much higher in persons who have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
About 5% of people who develop colorectal cancer have inherited genetic syndromes.
Nationally, people of Black race are at higher risk than whites. In Minnesota, American Indians are at higher risk.
- Factors you CAN control:
A low-fiber and high-fat diet, or a diet high in processed meats has been associated with a higher risk.
Three or more drinks per day increases colorectal cancer risk.
Obesity is linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer and death from colorectal cancer.
A lifestyle that includes regular physical activity is linked to a decreased risk of colorectal cancer.
People who have smoked tobacco for a long time are more likely than non-smokers to develop and die from colorectal cancer.
For more information on colorectal cancer risk factors and how to lower your risk, visit:
- American Cancer Society
- National Cancer Institute
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- CDC Physical Activity and Your Weight and Health
- MDH Physical Activity and Healthy Communities
Screening Guidelines
You can lower your risk.
- Men and women with no genetic risk factors or family history of colorectal cancer should be screened between 45 and 75.
- People under 45 and over 75 should talk to a health care provider to see if screening is appropriate.
- Those at increased risk (family or personal history) should begin screening earlier.
- Screening can be done in a variety of ways and some can be completed at home.
- Be sure to discuss screening recommendations with a health care provider.
For more information on colorectal cancer screening guidelines, visit:
Screening Data in Minnesota
Survival Data
Five-year survival rates for colorectal cancer
Survival is much higher when diagnosed early.
Rates over time
The rates of new cancers and the number of people dying from colorectal cancer has been decreasing.
Men have higher rates than women.
Rates by age, region, and race
County level data (2018-2022)
Download county level data (2018-2022)
The colorectal (CRC) county data are available for download.
- Rate/100,000
- *Unstable (Rates based on counts <20 or Relative standard error> 30%
- Count
- Prevalence (number living with CRC)
- Percent of CRC cases diagnosed at early stage
Download race CRC data (2018-2022)
The colorectal (CRC) race data are available for download.
- Incidence rate/100,000
- Incidence 95% upper confidence interval
- Incidence 95% lower confidence interval
- Incidence Count
- Mortality rate/100,000
- Mortality 95% upper confidence interval
- Mortality 95% lower confidence interval
- Mortality Count
- Screening rate
- Screening 95% upper confidence interval
- Screening 95% lower confidence interval
- Relative survival rate
- Relative survival 95% upper confidence interval
- Relative survival 95% lower confidence interval
- Relative survival Count
The collection of Minnesota Cancer data was supported by Cooperative Agreement Number, NU58DP007128 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The contents of this work are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.
Please contact MCRS at health.MCRS@state.mn.us with data requests or questions.