Colorectal cancer is one the most incident cancer in Golestan province of Iran. The purpose of this study is to describe the Colorectal Cancer Incidence (CRC) trend and geographic disparities in Golestan population from 2004 to 2013.

Data on CRC cases were obtained from the Golestan Population-based Cancer Registry (GPCR). As a high-quality cancer registry, the GPCR collected data on primary cancers including the CRC according to internationally acceptable standard protocols. Age-Standardized Incidence Rate (ASR) and Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC) were calculated by Joinpoint regression.

The overall ASR of CRC was 13.1 (per 100,000 person-year). The incidence rates of CRC were significantly higher in men (14.8; per 100,000 person-year) and urban population (35.4; per 100,000 person-year) comparing with women (11.5; per 100,000 person-year) and rural population (17.1; per 100,000 person-year), respectively. The overall CRC incidence rate showed significant increasing trend during the study period (AAPC=6.9; p-value=0.003). men (AAPC= 7.3; p-value = 0.004) had higher increasing trend than women (AAPC=6.6; p-value= 0.004). The analysis also showed that urban areas (AAPC=8.1; p-value=0.011) had relatively higher increasing trend compared to rural areas (AAPC=6.9; p-value = 0.009).

There was a significant increasing trend for CRC in the Golestan population during the study period. Our results also suggested higher incidence rates as well as higher increasing trends for CRC among men and urban population. Therefore, these risk factors should be considered and emphasized in CRC prevention and control planning in the Golestan population.