Global patterns and trends in colorectal cancer incidence in young adults

Abstract

ObjectiveEarly-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in the USA despite rapid declines in older ages. Similar patterns are reported in Australia and Canada, but a comprehensive global analysis of contemporary data is lacking.DesignWe extracted long-term data from Cancer Incidence in Five Continents and supplemental sources to report on worldwide CRC incidence rates and trends by age (20–49 years and ≥50 years) through diagnosis year 2012 or beyond (Australia, Finland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, USA).ResultsDuring 2008–2012, age-standardised CRC incidence rates in adults <50 ranged from 3.5 per 100 000 (95% CI 3.2 to 3.9) in India (Chennai) to 12.9 (95% CI 12.6 to 13.3) in Korea. During the most recent decade of available data, incidence in adults <50 was stable in 14 of 36 countries; declined in Austria, Italy and Lithuania; and increased in 19 countries, nine of which had stable or declining trends in older adults (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Slovenia, Sweden, UK and USA). In Cyprus, Netherlands and Norway, inclines in incidence in young adults were twice as rapid as those in older adults (eg, Norway average annual per cent change (AAPC), 1.9 (95% CI 1.4 to 2.5) vs 0.5 (95% CI 0.3 to 0.7)). Among most high-income countries with long-term data, the uptick in early-onset disease began in the mid-1990s. The steepest increases in young adults were in Korea (AAPC, 4.2 (95% CI 3.4 to 5.0)) and New Zealand (AAPC, 4.0 (95% CI 2.1 to 6.0)).ConclusionCRC incidence increased exclusively in young adults in nine high-income countries spanning three continents, potentially signalling changes in early-life exposures that influence large bowel carcinogenesis.

Incidence, Clinico-demographic Profiles and Survival Rates of Colorectal Cancer in Northern Malaysia: Comparing Patients Above and Below 50 Years of Age

“…Unlike most studies (Siegel et al, 2019), our study only showed a declining trend in the mortality but not in the incidence rates of CRC in the above-50 group. Moreover, in contrast to the previous findings (Fu et al, 2014), the older patients were not shown to have a lower mortality risk as compared with their younger counterparts.…”

Correlation Between Glucose Metabolism Parameters Derived From FDG and Tumor TNM Stages and Metastasis-Associated Proteins in Colorectal Carcinoma Patients

“…Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed malignancy and the fourth cause of cancer-related death worldwide [1,2]. Recently, cancer registry data show that in some high-income countries an increasing incidence of CRC in adults younger than 50 years [3]. Changes in dietary patterns which is called as western lifestyle are considered to be high risk factors for CRC.…”

Association of Polyps with Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer and Throughout Surveillance: Novel Clinical and Molecular Implications

“…In Europe, until recently, data on CRC incidence among younger adults were lacking. The most recent studies show that, even though in most European countries the EOCRC incidence has risen, there is a wide spectrum of heterogeneity between countries [7,8]. During the most recent decade of available data, CRC incidence rates have uniquely increased in young adults in countries, such as Germany, the UK, Denmark, Slovenia, and Sweden, while conversely, CRC declined in young adults in only three countries (Italy, Austria and Lithuania); in Cyprus, the Netherlands, and Norway, inclines in the incidence in young adults were twice as rapid as those in older adults [7].…”