Comparison of time trends in colorectal cancer incidence (1973–97) in East Asia, Europe and USA, from Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Vol. IV–VIII

Abstract

Time trends of age-standardized rate (ASR) of colorectal cancer incidence (ICD-10: colon (C18), rectal and anal canal (C19–C21) ) were compared among 18 selected cancer registries and ethnic/racial groups in Asia, Europe and USA. Data source was the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Vol. IV–VIII (years at diagnosis: 1973–77, 1978–82, 1983–87, 1988–92 and 1993–97, respectively). World population was used for age-standardization. Figures 1 and 2 show time trends of ASR of colon cancer incidence for males and females. In all registries, ASRs in males shows higher than ASRs in females except black (SEER) in USA. Three registries in Japan show higher ASRs compared with other East Asian registries. As for the time trend of colon cancer incidence, the same increasing tendency is observed for males and females among the three registries (Miyagi, Nagasaki and Osaka) in Japan, Bas-Rhin males (France) and Korean immigrants in LA from the 1970s to the 1990s. While ASRs of these three registries in Japan have been increasing dramatically, the trend of those among Japanese immigrants in Hawaii and LA leveled off in 1993–97.