Cancer of colon, rectum and anus: the rising burden of disease worldwide from 1990 to 2019

Abstract

Background Previous studies suggest that trends of cancer of colon, rectum and anus (CRA) incidence and mortality have been decreasing in recent decades. However, the trends are not uniform across age groups. This study aimed to assess the trends of the cancer of CRA burden worldwide. Methods A descriptive study was carried out with a joinpoint regression analysis using the database of the Global Burden of Disease study. Results About 2.2 million new cases of cancer of CRA were diagnosed in the world in 2019, whereby cancer of CRA caused ∼1.1 million deaths. Globally, the incidence trend in both sexes together was increasing in 1990–2019, while the mortality trend was decreasing. The highest rise both in incidence and mortality was observed in the East Asia region (by 3.6% per year and by 1.4% per year, respectively) and the Andean Latin America region (by 2.7% per year and by 1.2% per year, respectively). However, of particular concern is the significant increase in the incidence (by 1.7% per year) and mortality (by 0.5% per year) from cancer of CRA in people aged 15–49. Conclusions Unfavorable trends in cancer of CRA in the young require more attention in management plans. © The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health.