Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention of Colorectal Cancer-An English Version

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common malignancy in Korea and has been ranked as the third leading cause of cancer deaths in 2020. Although the incidence and mortality rates of CRC have decreased in recent years in Korea, it is still a significant public health burden. From the early 1990s until the mid-2000s, the 5-year relative survival of patients with CRC in Korea continuously increased. This finding appears to be a consequence of the successful introduction of a government-led screening program; the development of improved surgical techniques, anticancer drugs, and adjuvant treatment; and the advancement of medical resources and infrastructure along with economic growth. However, the improvement in survival has stagnated since the late 2000s. The recent coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak led to a reduction in hospital visits and screenings, which is expected to cause a stage shift to advanced disease stages and a worse prognosis for patients with CRC. Exploring modifiable environmental risk factors and appropriate screening test methods in Korea is necessary to overcome these challenges. Primary prevention through risk factor mediation and secondary prevention using suitable screening programs can help reduce the incidence and mortality rates of CRC.

Regional disparities in major cancer incidence in South Korea, 1999–2018

“…The incidence of colon and rectum cancer saw an increase from 2009 to 2013, but has recently shown a decrease in both incidence and regional disparity. This shift can be attributed to the removal of precancerous lesions through colonoscopy and lifestyle improvements [ 37 , 38 ]. The incidence of stomach, liver, and cervical cancers has consistently shown reductions in both incidence and regional disparities.…”

Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Colorectal Rectal Cancer: An Update Systematic Review

“…However, in light of the significant increase in the number of identified cases in the older population, it is estimated that the global incidence of CRC will more than double by 2035, with the most significant increase occurring in less developed nations. 12,13 CRC is a disorder that occurs exclusively in the colon or rectum and is caused by the colon's aberrant proliferation of glandular epithelial cells. There are three principal types of CRC: Sporadic, hereditary, and colitis-associated.…”

Pathological Insights: Enhanced Vision Transformers for the Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer

“…Doctors can detect and remove polyps through screening before they become cancerous. As CRC that is identified at an early stage has a five-year relative survival rate above 90%, early detection of the disease is essential [10]. However, only 40% of CRC cases are found in the early stages, and the survival probability drops if the disease spreads outside the colon or rectum [11].…”

“…However, only 40% of CRC cases are found in the early stages, and the survival probability drops if the disease spreads outside the colon or rectum [11]. Endoscopy is recommended for the diagnosis of CRC when clinicians notice an abnormal growth in the colon or rectum [10]. Endoscopic observation of CRC mostly focuses on finding polyps; however, esophagitis and ulcerative colitis might also be related to CRC [12,13].…”

“…Esophagitis, ulcerative colitis, and polyps are referred to as pathological findings under endoscopy [8,22,23]. Early identification of gastrointestinal endoscopic pathological findings is crucial for the early detection and treatment of CRC [5,8,10]. However, the detection and identification of endoscopic pathological findings at an early stage are cumbersome [24,25].…”