The incidence of colorectal cancer continues to increase in adults under 50 years of age in many high-income countries, according to a study conducted with data through 2017 from 50 territories.
The analysis of the figures extracted from a World Health Organization database is published in the specialized journal The Lancet Oncology. The study aimed to examine global rates of colorectal cancer in young adults (25-49 years) versus older adults (50-74 years).
The authors estimate that during the last decade examined the incidence rates of early onset colorectal cancer (25-49 years) remained stable in 23 countries – including Spain and Austria, where no increase was observed –but increased by 27, with the largest annual increases seen in New Zealand (almost 4%), Chile (almost 4%), and Puerto Rico (3.8%).
The increase in cancer Early-onset colorectal cancer was faster among men than women in Chile, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Ecuador, Thailand, Sweden, Israel, and Croatia, while young women experienced more rapid increases in England, Norway, Australia, Turkey, Costa Rica and Scotland.
In older adults, 14 of the 27 territories showed stable (Puerto Rico, Argentina, Norway, France, Ireland) or decreasing rates (Israel, Canada, USA, England, Germany, Scotland, Slovenia, Australia and New Zealand).
Colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer and the second cause of cancer death, responsible for more than 1.9 million new cases and almost 904 thousand deaths in 2022 worldwide, explains a summary of the magazine.
Tumor rates not limited to high-income countries
The study also found that the increase in rates of this tumor in young adults was no longer limited to high-income countries, but was also observed in some low-income countries in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The increase in early-onset colorectal cancer is a global phenomenon,” says Hyuna Sung, lead author of the research, in a statement from the American Cancer Society. Society emphasizes increasing awareness and prevention.
This work only reports the rates of this cancer until 2017, so it may not accurately reflect current trends, the magazine admits.
Additionally, data were used from subnational registries that often represent a small fraction of a country’s population, which may limit generalization at the population level.
Unknown causes
The authors highlight that the reasons for the increase in young adults remain largely unknown.
They suggest that it could be in changes in the diet, from foods rich in fiber and low in fat to a greater consumption of red and/or processed meat, sugars and pre-cooked foods.
The physically inactive lifestyles associated with the economic wealth of young adults in high-income countries may also be an answer. However, more studies are needed to confirm this.
Although the success of screening programs is believed to partly explain the decline in rates among the elderly in some countries, the upward trend in incidence among those under 50 years of age could later lead to an increase in incidence among the elderly. older individuals.
This could prevent or reverse decades of progress against the diseasewarns the magazine.
(With information from EFE)
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