In brief
Colorectal cancer (or cancer of the colon and rectum) is a cancer of the large intestine that can be cured if detected early.
The disease
A Preventable Cancer
Colorectal cancer develops from the cells lining the inner wall of the colon or rectum. Most often, these malignant tumors originate from a benign tumor, called an adenomatous polyp, which grows slowly and eventually becomes cancerous.
It is a common cancer in both men and...
What We Do
Colorectal cancers, which are common in both men and women, are partly preventable, as modifiable risk factors have been identified. They can also be screened for.
In this context, Santé publique France’s efforts focus on epidemiological surveillance, evaluating the organized screening program,...
Data
Incidence varies by gender, while mortality is declining
In France, with 47,582 new cases in 2023 and 17,117 deaths in 2018, colorectal cancer is among the most common cancers (third most common in men and second most common in women) and is the second leading cause of cancer death (second...
- Incidence and mortality
- Survival
- Prevalence
- Stages of diagnosis
- Organized colorectal cancer screening program
Publications
Here you will find the latest scientific publications related to the studies and research conducted by Santé publique France.
2 publications
article
Epidemiology of colorectal cancer in French Guiana from 2003 to 2017: a descriptive and spatial analysis based on data from the Cancer Registry
article
Use of colonoscopy following a positive screening test: an analysis of delays and factors associated with non-completion in mainland France between 2016 and 2020
In relation to
Alcohol
thematic dossier
Alcohol is deeply rooted in French culture. Its consumption remains a major cause of death and illness in France.
Tobacco
thematic dossier
Despite a slight decrease compared to 2015, tobacco remains responsible for more than 68,000 premature deaths in 2023—accounting for 11% of total mortality—making it still the leading cause of...
Nutrition and Physical Activity
thematic dossier
Nutrition and physical activity are two major determinants of health that contribute to improving the health of the population and are key priorities in public health policy.
