Colorectal Cancer Screening Market

Market Overview

The global colorectal cancer screening market size was valued at USD 13,734.03 million in 2022. It is expected to reach USD 26,441.8 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.55% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is caused by the growth and spread of cancerous cells in the colon or rectum of the digestive tract. It is also known as colon cancer. Early cases of colorectal cancer begin with the formation of noncancerous polyps and may have no symptoms but can be detected through screening. CRC screening detects the disease in asymptomatic individuals over 45 at a high risk of developing the disease. Symptoms of CRC vary based on the size and location of the cancer. Changes in bowel habits, stool consistency, blood in the stool, and abdominal pain are significant disease symptoms. — The increasing prevalence of colorectal cancer has increased the need for early detection and treatment through screening.

Market Dynamics

Global Colorectal Cancer Screening Market Drivers

Advancement of Reliable Genetic Test

Effective genetic tests are now available thanks to the high correlation between gene-colorectal cancer and technological advancement. Therefore, the adoption of genetic tests for colorectal cancer screening throughout the forecast period will drive market growth. The introduction of screening test kits and other products with technological advancements contributes to improving the efficacy of the screening test and propels market expansion. One of the first medical devices to use artificial intelligence (AI) based on machine learning to help clinicians detect lesions (such as polyps or suspected tumors) in the colon in real-time during a colonoscopy is the "GI Genius," which the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized for sale in April 2021. It will help clinicians spot potential anomalies during colon cancer surveillance and screening. This development accelerates the market's growth for colon cancer screening over the anticipated period.

Increasing Initiatives to Prevent Cancer

Over the forecast period, the colorectal cancer screening market is anticipated to grow as a result of numerous initiatives taken by various governments, non-profit organizations, other public authorities, and industry participants to increase public awareness of colorectal cancer and its multiple prospects, including screening, prevention, risk factors, etc. The government has launched several awareness campaigns to educate people in different nations worldwide. The Colon Cancer Foundation's goal for March 2021 awareness month is to increase CRC awareness and raise money to support the screening of 10,000 people in underserved communities that year. The foundation has requested USD 35 or more donations to cover the cost of a screening test for a member of an underserved community. The market is expanding as a result of such foundational initiatives to increase screening tests.

Global Colorectal Cancer Screening Market Restraints

Insufficient Access to Healthcare in Developing Countries

Due to a lack of adequate healthcare facilities, such as infrastructure, healthcare professionals per population, etc., people in developing countries frequently need access to healthcare. The market for colorectal cancer screening is also expected to experience slow growth due to a lack of consumer awareness and affordability. The effectiveness of the healthcare systems also hampers access to healthcare in developing nations, which limits the market's expansion. For example, a research article titled "Technical efficiency of provincial public healthcare in South Africa," published in January 2020 in the Cost Efficiency and Research Allocation Journal of BMC, estimates that 83 percent of the country's population relies on the public healthcare system. The same source also stated that the mean technical efficiency scores for the various health models ranged from 35.7 to 87.2 percent. Thus, ineffective healthcare also contributes to a lack of accessibility, restricting the market's expansion.

Global Colorectal Cancer Screening Market Opportunities

Rising Incidence of Colorectal Cancer

One of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, colorectal cancer incidence is rising. However, most nations have already begun addressing the problem by launching national screening programs that provide test kits to people over 50. As colorectal cancer can be detected and treated early on, many nations are launching awareness campaigns to encourage early detection and lower the disease's mortality rate. CRC screening procedures include colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, stool-based tests, and virtual colonoscopy.

Additionally, the home test Cologuard, which has received FDA approval, checks for changes in DNA and blood in the stool. Either modification might be a sign of colon cancer or a polyp. Flexible sigmoidoscopy, fecal occult blood testing, double-contrast barium enema, and colonoscopy are the currently available screening modalities for colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy is quickly overtaking the other modalities in popularity thanks to its effectiveness and ongoing technological advancements. Though not yet suitable for screening, emerging technologies like virtual colonoscopies and stool DNA tests show promise for the future.

Regional Analysis

The global colorectal cancer screening market is segmented by region: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant revenue contributor and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.03% during the forecast period. Due to the country's increased incidence of colorectal cancer and numerous educational and financial initiatives, the United States has one of the most significant shares in the market under study. The American Cancer Society reports that colorectal cancer is the third-most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the country. It was anticipated that in 2021, there would be about 104,270 new cases of colon cancer and 45,230 new cases of rectal cancer. The need for colorectal cancer screening tests grows as the disease's incidence rises. Numerous businesses are creating sophisticated screening techniques that are becoming popular in the U.S. market, like genetic tests.

Additionally, according to the same source, having a sigmoidoscopy lowers the risk of colorectal cancer and dying from it. As a result, more people will use sigmoidoscopy, fueling the market growth. Additionally, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force actively promotes colorectal cancer screening. According to a report from 2020, people between the ages of 65 and 74 are most diagnosed with colorectal cancer. This situation suggests that the market under study will grow as the senior population increases.

Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period. The rise in colorectal cancer incidence, the development of effective genetic tests, and expanding cancer prevention programs have all increased the demand for rapid and accurate disease diagnosis and monitoring. In Germany, screening colonoscopies are monitored using various quality assurance techniques. It can reliably identify cancer-related conditions, such as colorectal adenoma, typically treatable during the screening procedure. Furthermore, the market under study will benefit from the key players' acquisitions, alliances, mergers, and collaborations. For instance, the market will grow as Epigenomics AG introduces its Next Generation Liquid Biopsy Test for colorectal cancer screening and plans to challenge the NCD decision in 2021. The government has been promoting CRC awareness in Germany through various channels, such as print media, radio, and television, and screening colonoscopies. This has led to a lower mortality rate and even late cancer discovery.

Asia-Pacific is a significant market for colorectal cancer screening. The considerable rise in the elderly population, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases like colorectal cancer, improvements in cancer therapeutics, and the implementation of CRC screening programs by national agencies are the main factors anticipated to support the growth of the colorectal cancer screening market in China. The National Institute of Health reported in 2019 that China had seen increased CRC incidence over the past few decades. According to GLOBOCAN statistics, there will be approximately 306,078 new cases of colon cancer in China in 2020. The same source also stated that China has a 749,096-colon cancer prevalence over five years. The high prevalence of colorectal neoplasia among Chinese men and older people underscored the importance of expanding colorectal cancer screening programs for these populations, and this drives the market in the coming years, according to a 2019 study titled "Prevalence of Colorectal Neoplasia in an Average-risk Chinese Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis."

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Oman are the six Arab nations that comprise the GCC. Due to the rising incidence of colorectal cancer and growing government initiatives, the colorectal cancer screening market in GCC nations is anticipated to expand significantly during the forecast period. The government's initiatives to control and monitor the incidence and prevalence of colorectal cancer screenings in various countries also significantly impact the market. In Kuwait, CRC screening is widely practiced, and organizations like the Kuwait Cancer Control Center are concentrating on screening initiatives to lessen the burden of CRC.

The main factors propelling market growth in Brazil are the development of accurate genetic tests, the rise in colorectal cancer prevalence, and the expansion of cancer prevention programs. According to GLOBOCAN's statistics, there will be about 55,102 new cases of colorectal cancer reported in Brazil in 2020. Additionally, in the year 2020, there will be approximately 27,346 men and 27,756 women affected by colorectal cancer. Furthermore, according to a study published in 2020 titled "The Performance of Colorectal Cancer Screening in Brazil: The First Two Years of the Implementation Program in Barretos Cancer Hospital," their colorectal cancer screening program met expectations in terms of quality metrics that were aligned. The shift toward earlier colorectal cancer was also noted, which further creates a chance to improve colorectal cancers in Brazil.

Segmental Analysis

The global colorectal cancer screening market is segmented by screening tests and end-user. 

Based on the screening test, the global market is bifurcated into stool-based tests, colonoscopy, CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy), and flexible sigmoidoscopy.

The colonoscopy segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.75% during the forecast period. A charged coupled device (CCD) camera or a fiber optic camera mounted on a flexible tube and inserted through the anus is used to perform an endoscopic examination of the large intestine and the distal portion of the small intestine. Colonoscopy enables accurate diagnosis and treatment without the requirement for an effective procedure. In addition, the polyps can be removed using the colonoscope. However, the patient must take a dose of laxatives to clean their colons before the test. The market is expected to grow over the coming years due to factors like the rising incidence of colorectal cancer, recommendations from government agencies for early screening, technological advancements, and the introduction of new products.

Stool-based tests are less invasive and simpler, examining feces for any polyps or colorectal cancer indications. Currently, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three types of stool tests to screen for colorectal cancer: the fecal immunochemical (or immunohistochemical) test (FIT, also known as the iFOBT) and multitargeted stool DNA testing. With these tests, the patient uses a kit to collect stool samples, which are then given to the doctor. The market segment is expanding due to rising public awareness, the simplicity of stool-based tests, and the rising prevalence of colorectal cancer.

Based on the end-user, the global market is bifurcated into hospitals and independent diagnostic labs.

The hospital segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.44% during the forecast period. Hospitals are well-equipped with cutting-edge technological equipment for quick screening tests and improved treatments. More screening tests are needed to support a clinical decision that will improve patient recovery. The hospital segment is anticipated to grow due to colorectal cancer's rising prevalence, which is predicted to continue throughout the forecast period. The hospital sector of the market under study consists of hospital complexes with built-in sections and laboratories for screening procedures. Typically, they contain the same tools that clinical laboratories do.

The increasing number of laboratories in both developed and developing nations, along with the improvements being made to laboratory services, are the main drivers of the growth of the diagnostic labs segment for CRC screening. Additionally, the government's efforts to boost the number of diagnostic labs are promoting market segment growth. The various colorectal cancer screening tests are carried out in a lab setting. For example, collecting the sample for a FIT test (Hb/Hp-Complex ELISA) or an Epi proColon blood test required laboratory procedures. The tests were then carried out at a certified laboratory by the manufacturer's instructions, with the results being recorded. One of the tests was recommended as a diagnostic colonoscopy for those who tested positive for either. Such tests called for qualified laboratory specialists, which is anticipated to grow the sector.

Recent Developments

• June 2022- Long-Term Supply agreement was inked between Ultima Genomics and Exact Sciences aimed to increase patient access to genomic testing by reducing sequencing costs.
• March 2022- Transcriptomic precision oncology solutions, Novigenix SA, renowned Swiss biotech, announced a Technology License Agreement with Royal Philips ('Philips') to create novel tissue biopsy Prostate Cancer (PCa) Immuno-Transcriptomic tests to enhance prostate cancer patient outcomes.