Objective: To study the colorectal cancer (CRC) behavior in Cali, Colombia, during the 1963-2012 period using data from the Population-based Cancer Registry of Cali and the Municipal Health Secretariat of Cali.
Materials and methods: An ecological time series analysis to study the CRC incidence (1962-2007) and mortality (1984-2012) rate trends; and a survival analysis of CRC cases registered in Cali between 1995 and 2004 were conducted. The age-standardized temporal trend of incidence (I-ASR) and mortality (M-ASR) rates were studied using an annual percent change (APC). The 5-year relative survival was estimated and a multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazard regression model.
Results: During the 1962-2007 period, CRC TTIR increased in men and women living in Cali [APC= 2.6 (95% CI 2.2-3.0) and APC= 2.2% (95% CI 1.8-2.7), respectively]. In the 1984-2012 period, the TTMR remained stable in women but increased in men in all age groups [APC= 1.8 (95% CI 0.8-2.8)]. The 5-year relative survival was independent of sex and increased from 29.7% in 1995-1999 to 39.8% in 2000-2004. The risk of dying from CRC was higher in people of lower socio-economic status (SES) vs higher SES [HR= 2.1 (95% CI: 1.7-2.6)], among people older than 70 years of age vs younger than 50 years [HR= 2.4 (95% CI: 1.9-2.9)], and for the 1995-1999 period vs 2000-2004 period [HR= 1.5 (95% CI 1.3-1.7)].
Conclusion: CRC is beginning to take a prominent place among the most important cancers in Cali, Colombia.