| Summary
Background
Data on the global, regional, and country-specific variations in the levels and trends of colorectal cancer (CRC) are required in order to understand the impact of this disease and the trends in its burden to help policy makers allocate resources. The present study provides a status report on the incidence, mortality, and disability caused by CRC in 195 countries and territories between 1990 and 2017
Methods
Vital registration, vital registration-sample, verbal autopsy, and cancer registry data were used to generate the relevant estimates. Mortality, incidence, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were estimated and reported. All of the estimates were reported as counts and age-standardised rates per 100 000 person-years. 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) were reported for all estimates.
Findings
In 2017, there were 1·8 million (95% UI 1·8–1·9) incident cases of CRC globally, with an age-standardised incidence rate of 23·2 (22·7–23·7) per 100 000 that increased by 9·5% (4·5–13·5) between 1990 and 2017. Globally, CRC accounted for 896·0 thousand (876·3–915·7) deaths in 2017, with an age-standardised death rate of 11·5 (11·3–11·8) per 100 000, which decreased by 13·5% (10·0–18·4) since 1990. CRC was also responsible for 18·9 million (18·4–19·4) DALYs in 2017 globally, with an age-standardised rate of 235·7 (229·7–242·0) DALYs per 100 000, which decreased by 14·5% (10·3–20·4) since 1990. Slovakia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand had the highest age-standardised incidence rates in 2017. Greenland, Hungary, and Slovakia had the highest age-standardised death rates in 2017. Numbers of incident cases and deaths were higher among males than females up to ages 80–84, with the highest rates observed in the oldest age group, 95 and older, for both sexes in 2017. SDI and HAQ Index showed a non-linear association with age-standardised DALY rate. In 2017, the three largest contributors to DALYs at the global level, for both sexes, were diet low in calcium (20.5%), alcohol use (15.2%), and diet low in milk (14.3%).
Interpretation
There is substantial global variation in the burden of CRC. Although the overall CRC age-standardised death rate has been decreasing at the global level, the increasing incidence rate in most countries poses a major public health challenge across the world. The results of the present study can be useful for policy makers to carry out cost-effective interventions and to reduce exposure to modifiable risk factors, particularly in countries with high incidence levels and/or increasing trends. |