Colorectal Cancer Rates Increasing in Younger People Since 1980: What About Before Then?

Colorectal Cancer Rates Increasing in Younger People Since 1980: What About Before Then?

Douglas K. Rex, MD, MASGE, reviewing Kehm RD, et al. Gastroenterology 2021 May 28.

Many U.S. cancer registries extend back to only a few years before cancer incidence in younger people began to rise, but the Connecticut Tumor Registry (CTR) extends back to 1935. 

Data from the CTR show that from 1985 to 2017, the annual percentage increase in colorectal cancer incidence in 25- to 49-year-old women was 1.75%, preceded by 3 decades of declining incidence. In 25- to 49-year-old men, the annual percentage increase was 1.99% from 1981 to 2017, preceded by basically stable rates back to 1935. The increasing incidence of rectal cancer accounted for the increase in younger people. 

Douglas K. Rex, MD, FASGE

COMMENT

These data indicate that a clear-cut change in some environmental risk factors dramatically shifted incidence curves in an upward direction around 1980. Before that, there were long-term declines in CRC rates in women and stable rates in men under age 50 in the U.S.

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)

Kehm RD, Lima SM, Swett K, et al. Age-specific trends in colorectal cancer incidence for women and men, 1935-2017. Gastroenterology 2021 May 28. (Epub ahead of print) (https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2021.05.050)

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