Colon Cancer- diagnosis and statistics

My name is Bernie Davis. I was diagnosed with colon cancer during the summer of 2025. A diagnosis of colon cancer came as quite a shock to me and my family, as you can imagine. I’ve had surgery to remove the tumor, but I’m still working through lots of questions about my therapies, diagnostic info, and how my life will change in the coming months, years, etc.

I have decided to chronicle my colon cancer experiences on PeopleBeatingCancer and work with cancer coach David Emerson in an effort to help me learn about and apply both conventional and evidence-based non-conventional therapies.

As the saying goes, “knowledge is power.“ And I need all the power I can get to manage my colon cancer in the months, years, and decades to come.

I plan to document the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to managing my colon cancer experiences. I hope to get input from fellow colon cancer patients and survivors along the way.

For example, according to some of the colon cancer statistics below, I am average. According to other statistics, I am an outlier. I’m guessing that most of us colon cancer survivors are both average and outliers depending…

I thought this was a good, general explanation of colon cancer.

Colorectal Cancer – Overview

Have you been diagnosed with colon cancer? What stage? What therapies have had so far? Scroll down the page and let me know.

thanks,

Bernie Davis
Colon Cancer Survivor

Colorectal cancer facts and statistics

Colorectal cancer in 2025

Colorectal cancer remains one of the most common cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that 154,270 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer in 2025, and 52,900 will die from the disease. The number of people who have died from colorectal cancer has steadily decreased since the mid-1980s due to increased screening and changing lifestyles.

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the U.S. among men and women combined.
Each year, about 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
More than 50,000 people will die from colorectal cancer this year.
One in 24 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime.
The average age of diagnosis among men and women is 66.
There are more than 1.5 million colorectal cancer survivors in the U.S.
About 10% of CRCs appear in people under age 50.
YO-CRC could be the deadliest cancer by 2030 in people 20-49.
Since 1994, cases of YO-CRC have increased by 51 percent.
Rectal cancer is more common than colon cancer in young patients.
Delays in diagnosis occur in 15-50% of young-onset cases

Experiences with colon cancer vary widely, with common symptoms including

changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, abdominal discomfort, and unexplained fatigue. Many people, especially younger individuals, may initially dismiss their symptoms, leading to delayed diagnosis. Some patients, like those with a history of ulcerative colitis, have chronic digestive issues, while others, particularly younger patients, may have symptoms like bloating, cramps, and fatigue.

Common symptoms

Changes in bowel habits: This can include diarrhea, constipation, or a feeling that the bowel doesn’t empty completely.
Bleeding: This is often seen as blood in the stool or blood in the toilet bowl.
Abdominal discomfort: Symptoms can include ongoing cramps, gas, or pain.
Fatigue: Persistent weakness or tiredness can be a sign, sometimes caused by low iron levels due to the tumor.
Unexplained weight loss: Though not mentioned as frequently, this is a common symptom of many cancers, including colon cancer.
Bowel obstruction: In some cases, a tumor can cause a blockage, leading to severe pain.

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