Research presented at the American College of Gastroenterology scientific meeting highlighted the importance of implementing targeted strategies to prevent colorectal cancer (CRC) and reduce the worldwide burden of this disease.

The study was presented by Bhargav Koyani, MD, from Saint Francis Hospital-Evanston, Evanston, Illinois.

The investigators set out to examine the burden and trends of CRC within G20 countries, to provide insights to advance health outcomes, promote equitable access to health care, and address noncommunicable diseases, including cancer.
The researchers used the Global Burden of Disease 2021 tool to assess the incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and years lived with disability (YLDs) due to CRC and its risk factors across G20 countries from 1990-2021, by age, sex, year, and location. The DISMOD MR 2.1 tool was used to calculate nonfatal health outcomes; fatal outcomes were determined using the cause of death ensemble model (CODEm). They reported results in both absolute numbers and age-standardized rates (ASR; per 100,000 person-years).

The global prevalence of CRC increased significantly from 3.7 million (95% uncertainty interval: 3.6-3.9 million) in 1990 to 10.1 million (9.2-10.9 million) in 2021. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) rose by 6% (3%-15%) during the same period. The highest ASIR was that of Japan, with 48.7 cases per 100,000; Argentina recorded the highest age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) at 19.44 cases per 100,000 in 2021. Individuals aged 50 and above accounted for 88.17% of all CRC deaths in 2021.

The increase in CRC burden was more pronounced among men compared to women. The total percentage change (TPC) in incidence rates was 165% for men versus 102% for women.

The highest number of CRC deaths in 2021 was attributed to a low intake of whole grains (150,686 deaths), followed by a diet high in red meat (124,693 deaths). The investigators concluded that dietary modifications can help reduce the prevalence of the second-leading cause of cancer-related death and disability in the member nations of G20.

Desai HD, Patel L, Katikala VR, et al. 11 - Evolving Burden of Colorectal Cancer and its Attributable Risk Factors and its Trend from 1990-2021: Insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Presented at: American College of Gastroenterology Scientific Meeting. October 28, 2024. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.