Early-onset colorectal cancer incidence rates increased in several high-income countries, according to research published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
While CRC incidence rates in recommended screening populations continue to fall, spiking early-onset CRC rates are concerning. Researchers looked at 10-year colon and rectal cancer incidence rates in 21 population-based registries for people aged zero to 49 years.
From 2004 to 2014, early-onset colon cancer rates increased in Denmark by 3.1 percent, New Zealand by 2.9 percent, Australia by 2.9 percent and the U.K. by 1.8 percent.
Early-onset rectal cancer rates increased in Canada by 3.4 percent, Australia by 2.6 percent and the U.K. by 1.4 percent during the same time period.
Increases in the 20 to 29-year age group were most concerning. Rectal cancer rates increased 18.1 percent in Denmark and 10.6 percent in Norway during the same time period.
In recommended screening populations — above 50 years old — colon cancer rates decreased in New Zealand by 3.4 percent, in Canada by 1.9 percent and in Australia by 1.6 percent. Rectal cancer rates also decreased in Australia by 2.4 percent, in Canada by 1.2 percent and in the U.K. by 1.2 percent during the same time period.