Epidemiology and risk factors of colorectal cancer in China

Yong Yang; Zihan Han; Xin Li; An Huang; Jingyi Shi; Jin Gu

doi:10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2020.06.06

Epidemiology and risk factors of colorectal cancer in China

Chin J Cancer Res. 2020 Dec 31;32(6):729-741. doi: 10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2020.06.06.

Authors

Yong Yang¹, Zihan Han², Xin Li¹, An Huang¹, Jingyi Shi¹, Jin Gu^{1

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Center of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China.
² Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China.
³ Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Science, Peking University International Cancer Center, Beijing 100142, China.
⁴ Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing 100144, China.

PMID: 33446996
PMCID: PMC7797231
DOI: 10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2020.06.06

Abstract

In China, colorectal cancer (CRC) ranked fourth and fifth in the highest incidence and mortality rates of all malignancies in 2018, respectively. Although these rates are below the world average, China placed first worldwide in the number of new CRC cases and CRC-related deaths because of its comparatively large population. This disease represents a threat to the health of population and incurs a heavy economic burden on the society and individuals. CRC has various risk factors, including age, sex, lifestyle, genetic factors, obesity, diabetes, gut microbiota status, and precancerous lesions. Furthermore, incidence and mortality rates of CRC are closely related to socioeconomic development levels, varying according to regional and population characteristics. Prevention is the main strategy to reduce incidence and mortality rates of CRC. This can be achieved through strategies stimulating lifestyle changes, healthy diet habits, and early screening for high-risk individuals. To reduce the burden of CRC, public health officials should promote prevention and management of modifiable risk factors through national policies. The rising incidence and mortality rates of CRC in China may be timely curbed by clarifying specific epidemiological characteristics, optimizing early screening strategies, and strictly implementing diagnosis and treatment guidelines. Thus, this study aimed to collect and report the current research status on epidemiology and risk factors of CRC in China.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer; epidemiology; review; risk factors.