Colon cancer survival rate varies by country. A five year survival rate shows the percentage of patients alive five years after initial diagnosis. The overall five-year survival rate for colon cancer is 62% in America and 43% in Europe. Quality of care and colon cancer screening programs could be the reasons for the disparity in the survival rates. The earlier colon cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat. Survival rate of the patient therefore depends on how early or at what stage the disease has been detected as well as how early the patient starts treatment.

It is important to remember that colon cancer survival rate or rates are generalizations and therefore individual chances of surviving the disease are quite different. The stage at diagnosis immensely determines the survival rate of colon cancer. Research published by ANZ Journal of Surgery showed that in Australia the five-year survival rate for stage 1 colon cancer was 93%. This figure however dropped to 59% in stage 3 of colon cancer.

Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer involves cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and the appendix. It is the third most common cancer in the world. Often, this type of cancer starts with mushroom-like growths in the colon called onomatopoeia polyps.

The risk of colon cancer like is the case with other types of cancer increases with age and often it occurs in people who are in their 60s or 70s. Research has shown that moderate exercise can significantly increase colon cancer survival rate.