Increase in Incidence of Colorectal Cancer Among Young Men and Women in the United States

Abstract

The recent, accelerated decline in colorectal cancer incidence rates has largely been attributed to an increase in screening rates among adults 50 years and older. We used data from 13 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registries to report on colorectal cancer incidence trends from 1992 through 2005 among adults under age 50 years, for whom screening is not recommended for persons at average risk, by sex, race/ ethnicity, age, stage at diagnosis, and anatomic subsite. Overall, incidence rates of colorectal cancer per 100,000 young individuals (ages 20-49 years) increased 1.5% per year in men and 1.6% per year in women from 1992 to 2005. Among non-Hispanic Whites, rates increased for both men and women in each 10-year age grouping (20-29, 30-39, and 40-49 years) and for every stage of diagnosis. The increase in incidence among non-Hispanic Whites was predominantly driven by rectal cancer, for which there was an average increase of 3.5% per year in men and 2.9% per year in women over the 13-year study interval. In contrast to the overall decreasing trend in colorectal cancer incidence in the United States, rates are increasing among men and women under age 50 years. Further studies are necessary to elucidate causes for this trend and identify potential prevention and early detection strategies. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(6):1695-8)

Clinico-Pathological Patterns and Survival Outcome of Colorectal Cancer in Young Patients: Western Saudi Arabia Experience

“…This percentage is similar to that reported in Jordan (20.2%) (Al-Jaberi et al, 2003), and Egypt (22%) (Veruttipong et al, 2012). Noteworthy, in western population, the incidence of the disease has increased in the 30-39 years group at an annual rate of 3% in men and 2% in women from 1992 to 2005 (Siegel et al, 2009) Some studies suggest that young CRC patients are diagnosed more frequently in advanced stage (Dozois et al, 2008). A publication based on the SEER database has demonstrated a higher frequency of stage III and IV disease in younger compared to older patients that was highly statistically significant (O'Connell et al, 2004a).…”

Clinical, Endoscopic and Pathogical Characteristics of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer in Vietnamese

“…However, there have been reports about increasing incidence of CRC at a younger age (i.e. early-onset CRC) (Foroutan et al, 2008;Siegel et al, 2009). Therefore, investigation on the characteristics of patients with early-onset CRC is an urgent clinical demand in order to have a better screening strategy and early detection of CRC.…”

38 Years Old Female with Colon Cancer Metastasized to Liver

“…A study by Siegel RL et al, [4] showed that in sharp contrast to the overall declining rates of CRC in the United States, incidence rates among adults younger than age 50 years are increasing. Although, the reasons for this rising incidence of CRC remain unclear and the relative incidence in persons under age 50 remains low, the increasing incidence in young people is a major public health concern [2].…”