FOI reference: FOI-2025-2556
You asked
I would like to make a data request for the number of people registered with colorectal cancer and number of colorectal cancer related deaths in 2023- 2024. Inclusive of all ages if available.
We said
Thank you for your request.
Mortality from colorectal cancer
We are responsible for the production of mortality statistics for deaths registered in England and Wales. National Records Scotland (NRS) and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) are responsible for statistics pertaining to Scotland and Northern Ireland. They can be contacted at foi@nrscotland.gov.uk and info@nisra.gov.uk.
Our mortality data comes from the information collected at death registration. All the conditions mentioned on the death certificate are coded using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). From all of these causes, an underlying cause of death (what the death is 'due to') is selected using ICD-10 coding rules.
The underlying cause of death is defined by WHO as:
a) the disease or injury that initiated the train of events directly leading to death, or\ b) the circumstances of the accident or violence that produced the fatal injury
The ICD-10 cause codes for deaths due to colorectal cancer are C18 to C20.
For deaths registered in England and Wales in 2023 there were 15,552 due to colorectal cancer. We are still in the data processing period for deaths registered in 2024, and so the finalised figure is yet to be released. However, the provisional number for deaths due to colorectal cancer registered in 2024 is 15,553.
These figures are based on the number of deaths registered rather than occurring in each year, and include a small number deaths to persons usually resident outside of England and Wales whose deaths were registered in England or Wales.
For further information please contact health.data@ons.gov.uk
People diagnosed with colorectal cancer
ONS are not responsible for the production of statistics on diagnosis or incidence, and so this information is not held.
NHS England produce statistics on these topics (for England, not UK).