Study Confirms Global Rates Of Colorectal, Pancreatic and Gastric Cancer On An Increase With More Deaths
Source: Thailand Medical News Oct 23, 2019 5 years, 4 weeks, 1 day, 21 hours, 30 minutes ago
55% of incidences and deaths alone are concentrated in East Asia ie China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea ,Taiwan., Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia . #UEGW19
The findings of a major study across 195 countries, presented at UEG Week Conference 2019 in Barcelona yesterday, indicate that global death rates for
pancreatic cancer and incidence rates for
colorectal cancer both increased by 10 percent between 1990 and 2018.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded Global Burden of Disease study, is the first to provide comprehensive worldwide estimates of the burden, epidemiological features and risk factor of a number of digestive diseases.
The study has also been published yesterday in
The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
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Key study findings include:
a) The number of
pancreatic cancer cases increased by 130 percent over the 27-year study period, from 195,000 in 1990 to 448,000 in 2017
b) Gastric (stomach) cancer dropped from the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide to the third, behind both lung and colorectal cancer. The number of cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increased 84 percent, from 3.7 million in 1990 to 6.8 million in 2017
Professor Herbert Tilg, chair of the UEG Scientific Committee commented in an interview with
Thailand Medical News , "This analysis provides the most comprehensive picture of the global burden of digestive disease to date. Examining these cross-populational trends offers vital information on the changing burden of disease and aids the correct allocation of resources to improve patient outcomes."
More Pancreatic cancer patients dying these days than in the 1990s.
Besides an increase in
pancreatic cancer cases, the number of deaths also rose from 196,000 in 1990 to 448,000 in 2017. Whilst some of this increase can be explained by the rising population and longevity, even after accounting for population changes, age-standardized incidence and death rates for
pancreatic cancer increased by 12 percent and 10 percent respectively. Of note, the highest incidence and death rates were found in higher-income countries.
Medical researchers believe the increase is related to a rise in the prevalence of obesity and diabetes, as reflected by the risk factors of high BMI and higher blood glucose levels which are two of the leading risk factors for
;>pancreatic cancer.
"
Pancreatic cancer is one of the world's deadliest cancers, with an overall five-year survival rate of just 5 percent in high-, middle- and low-income countries. Major risk factors for the disease, such as smoking, diabetes and obesity, are largely modifiable and present a huge opportunity for prevention." commented Professor Reza Malekzadeh, lead author of the study.
Screening is critical in reducing colorectal cancer
From the period 1990 to 2017, age-standardized incidence rates for
colorectal cancer increased 9.5 percent globally but, by contrast, age-standardized death rates decreased by 13.5 percent. The researchers believe that this is due to the introduction of
colorectal cancer screening programs, leading to earlier detection and an increased chance of survival. Similarly, in countries where screening programs were established two or three decades ago, reductions in death rates were observed, supporting the benefits attributable to screening interventions.
The research also indicated that the risk factors for
colorectal cancer are different in males and females, and should therefore be considered in national policy and prevention programs. Alcohol use, smoking and diets low in calcium, milk and fiber had a considerable burden on males. For females, dietary risks, but not alcohol use or smoking, were found to be the most attributable risks.
Medical researchers recommend localized strategies to tackle gastric cancer especially in East Asia
Age-standardized incidence and death rates for
gastric cancer decreased steadily between 1990 and 2017. However, this decline has not necessarily led to a lower burden on the health system in high-risk countries and experts believe that specific local strategies should be tailored to each country's risk factor profile.
"This research shows how
gastric cancer presents vast geographical variations, and understanding these differential trends is essential for formulating effective preventative strategies. Beyond the current decline in incidence and death rates, a decrease in the absolute number of cases and deaths will be possible if the burden in east Asia, where currently almost 55% of the cases and deaths occur, is further reduced." commented Professor Reza Malekzadeh.
One of the reasons to the high increases in these three deadly diseases could be attributed to processed foods, fast foods, instant noodles especially in East Asian countries, higher intake of sugars, fats and carbohydrates, coffee and also meats such as pork and beef. The types and constituents of dietary intake was a major contributing factor.
Reference: : Marianne Grønlie Guren. The global challenge of colorectal cancer,
The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology (2019).
DOI: 10.1016/S2468-1253(19)30329-2
