Accuracy Assessment of the Claim
The claim is accurate regarding colorectal cancer being the third most common cancer worldwide, but the statement about it being the "second leading cause of cancer death" in the United States requires clarification—it is the second leading cause among cancers affecting both men and women combined, not the absolute second cause of all cancer deaths.
Global Incidence Ranking
The claim that colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide is well-supported:
- Multiple high-quality sources confirm colorectal cancer ranks third globally in incidence, with approximately 1.85-1.9 million new cases annually 1, 2.
- This ranking applies to both men and women when considered separately 1.
- The global mortality burden is substantial, with approximately 850,000-935,000 deaths per year, representing about 10% mortality 1, 2.
U.S. Mortality Ranking: The Nuanced Reality
The "second leading cause of cancer death" statement requires important context:
- Colorectal cancer is definitively the second leading cause of cancer death when considering cancers that affect both sexes 1, 3.
- In 2016, approximately 49,000 deaths were projected, increasing to 53,200 by 2020 1, 2.
- However, when examining sex-specific rankings, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death overall, followed by prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women, making the absolute ranking more complex 1.
The most precise statement is that colorectal cancer represents the second leading cause of cancer death among malignancies affecting both men and women in the United States 1.
Current Epidemiological Data
Recent data provides additional context:
- Annual U.S. incidence is approximately 130,200-148,810 new diagnoses 1, 3.
- The disease predominantly affects older adults, with 90-94% of cases occurring after age 45-50 years 4, 5.
- The median age at diagnosis is 68 years, with peak incidence in those aged 65-74 years 1, 5.
- Despite high incidence, mortality rates have been declining since the 1980s-1990s due to improved screening and treatment 1.
Clinical Significance
The disease burden justifies the claim's emphasis:
- Lifetime risk is approximately 4-5%, with 5.7% for men and 5.1% for women 1.
- Five-year survival is 65.2% overall, but varies dramatically by stage: 93.2% for stage I versus 14% for metastatic disease 3, 2.
- Screening can reduce colorectal cancer incidence by 60-70% and mortality by up to 80% 3.
The original claim is essentially accurate for clinical and public health purposes, though the mortality ranking statement would be more precise if qualified as "among cancers affecting both sexes."