Colon and rectal cancer survival in seven high-income countries 2010–2014: variation by age and stage at diagnosis (the ICBP SURVMARK-2 project)

Abstract

ObjectivesAs part of the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) SURVMARK-2 project, we provide the most recent estimates of colon and rectal cancer survival in seven high-income countries by age and stage at diagnosis.MethodsData from 386 870 patients diagnosed during 2010–2014 from 19 cancer registries in seven countries (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway and the UK) were analysed. 1-year and 5-year net survival from colon and rectal cancer were estimated by stage at diagnosis, age and country,Results(One1-year) and 5-year net survival varied between (77.1% and 87.5%) 59.1% and 70.9% and (84.8% and 90.0%) 61.6% and 70.9% for colon and rectal cancer, respectively. Survival was consistently higher in Australia, Canada and Norway, with smaller proportions of patients with metastatic disease in Canada and Australia. International differences in (1-year) and 5-year survival were most pronounced for regional and distant colon cancer ranging between (86.0% and 94.1%) 62.5% and 77.5% and (40.7% and 56.4%) 8.0% and 17.3%, respectively. Similar patterns were observed for rectal cancer. Stage distribution of colon and rectal cancers by age varied across countries with marked survival differences for patients with metastatic disease and diagnosed at older ages (irrespective of stage).ConclusionsSurvival disparities for colon and rectal cancer across high-income countries are likely explained by earlier diagnosis in some countries and differences in treatment for regional and distant disease, as well as older age at diagnosis. Differences in cancer registration practice and different staging systems across countries may have impacted the comparisons.

Age disparities in stage‐specific colon cancer survival across seven countries: An International Cancer Benchmarking PartnershipSURVMARK‐2 population‐based study

“…1 Recently estimated 5-year net survival for colon cancer ranged from 58.9% to 70.9% across six high-income countries. 2 Previous population-based studies highlighted substantial age differences in colon cancer survival with consistently lower survival for older adults (75+ years) compared with younger adults. [3][4][5] In addition, while colon cancer survival has improved over the past decades, 5,6 the improvement in survival lagged for older people, creating a larger age gap in survival.…”

“…Colon cancer is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer and the sixth most common cause of cancer death for adults aged 50 years and older worldwide 1 . Recently estimated 5‐year net survival for colon cancer ranged from 58.9% to 70.9% across six high‐income countries 2 . Previous population‐based studies highlighted substantial age differences in colon cancer survival with consistently lower survival for older adults (75+ years) compared with younger adults 3‐5 .…”

“…Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) SURVMARK-2 study. 2 We excluded data from Western Australia (Australia) and Quebec (Canada) because they had no recorded stage data for our study period. We restricted our analyses to patients aged between 50 and 99 years old at diagnosis between 2010 and 2014.…”

The impact of timely cancer diagnosis on age disparities in colon cancer survival in New Zealand

“…In New Zealand, colon cancer was the second most common cancer and the second biggest cause of cancer deaths in adults aged 70 years or older in 2018 15 . The most recent 5-year net survival estimates for adults with colon cancer was 62% (95% confidence interval: 61%-63%) 16 , similar to most western countries 16,17 .…”

A roadmap for the early detection and diagnosis of cancer

“…4 Despite cancer screening programmes, improved awareness, and more streamlined diagnostic pathways, only 54% of patients with cancer in England had their cancer detected at stage I or II in 2018. 5 With lower survival rates in the UK than in similar countries, such as Australia, Canada, or Norway, 6 , 7 and notable inequalities in survival across the UK, 8 , 9 there is a pressing need to see a paradigm shift in our ability to accurately detect and diagnose cancer at an early stage.…”