New IARC study finds rising rates of colorectal cancer in younger people

A new study led by researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), published today in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, found that in the most recent 10-year period of available data, rates of colon cancer and rectal cancer in people younger than 50 years increased by up to 4% per year in seven high-income countries.

Although colorectal cancer continues to affect mostly people aged 50 years and older, data on more than 400 000 patients with colorectal cancer in seven high-income countries showed considerable upward trends in the risk of developing colorectal cancer for those born after 1990.

These findings suggest that the pattern of colorectal cancer incidence is changing and that research into risk factors such as obesity is warranted, to identify the main drivers of the increase in colorectal cancer incidence in recent generations.

Araghi M, Soerjomataram I, Bardot A, Ferlay J, Cabasag C, Morrison DS, et al.
Changes in colorectal cancer incidence in seven high-income countries: a population-based study
Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol, Published online 16 May 2019;
https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-1253(19)30147-5

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Read IARC Press Release 272