Trends in mortality due tocolorectal cancer in the United States from 1999 to 2020

In the last two decades, colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality has been decreasing in the United States. However, the mortality trends for the different subtypes of CRC, including different sides of colon, rectosigmoid, and rectal cancer remain unclear. Analysis of trends based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research data from 1999 to 2020 found that overall CRC rate decreased significantly from 26.42 to 15.98 per 100.000 individuals, with an average annual percent change of -2.41. Howver, the age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) of rectosigmoid cancer increased significantly from 0.82 to 1.08 per 100.000 individuals, with AAPC +1.10. Men and Black individuals had the highest AAMRs. The overall AAMR of CRC decreased for those aged ≥ 50 years, but increased significantly for those aged 15-49 years, with AAPC +0.75. Rural populations had higher AAMR than urban populations. The authors conclude that although overall CRC mortality declined, rising trends in young-onset CRC and rectosigmoid cancer warrant attention.