Deaths From GI Cancers Declined in the U.S. From 2003 to 2019 but Less So in Rural Areas
Douglas K. Rex, MD, MASGE, reviewing Hussaini SMQ, et al. Gastroenterology 2022 Aug 10.
Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiological Research database, nationwide GI cancer age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 individuals decreased from 45.9 in 2003 to 37.9 in 2019. The annual percentage drop in AAMRs was -1.07 in large metropolitan areas, -0.6 in medium and small metropolitan areas, and -0.24 in rural areas. The absolute difference in AAMRs between rural and large metropolitan areas increased from 0.9 to 4.2, a >4-fold increase.
COMMENTIt is great to see deaths from GI cancers declining. The differences between urban versus rural areas are not understood, but higher rates of obesity and cigarette smoking in rural areas, combined with lower rates of colorectal cancer screening, may contribute to the differences.
Note to readers: At the time we reviewed this paper, its publisher noted that it was not in final form and that subsequent changes might be made.
CITATION(S)
Hussaini SMQ, Blackford AL, Arora N, Sedhom R, Beg MS, Gupta A. Rural-urban disparities in mortality and place of death for gastrointestinal cancer in the US from 2003 to 2019. Gastroenterology 2022 Aug 10. (Epub ahead of print) (https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2022.08.012)
