The present study provides a status report of global burden of disease, injuries, and risk factors (GBD) on the incidence, mortality, and disability caused by colorectal cancer (CRC) in 195 countries and territories between 1990 and 2017

GBD methods.

In 2017, there were 1·8 million (95% UI 1·8–1·9) incident cases of CRC globally, with an age-standardised incidence rate of 23·2 (22·7–23·7) per 100 000 that increased by 9·5% (4·5–13·5) between 1990 and 2017. Globally, CRC accounted for 896·0 thousand (876·3–915·7) deaths in 2017, with an age-standardised death rate of 11·5 (11·3–11·8) per 100 000, which decreased by 13·5% (10·0–18·4) since 1990. CRC was also responsible for 18·9 million (18·4–19·4) disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2017 globally, with an age-standardised rate of 235·7 (229·7–242·0) DALYs per 100 000, which decreased by 14·5% (10·3–20·4) since 1990. Slovakia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand had the highest age-standardised incidence rates in 2017. Greenland, Hungary, and Slovakia had the highest age-standardised death rates in 2017. Numbers of incident cases and deaths were higher among males than females up to ages 80–84, with the highest rates observed in the oldest age group, 95 and older, for both sexes in 2017. In 2017, the three largest contributors to DALYs at the global level, for both sexes, were diet low in calcium (20.5%), alcohol use (15.2%), and diet low in milk (14.3%).

Although the overall CRC death rate has been decreasing at the global level, the increasing incidence rate in most countries poses a public health challenge across the world. The results of this study can be useful for policy makers to carry out cost-effective interventions and to reduce exposure to modifiable risk factors, particularly in countries with high incidence levels and increasing trends.