Research by GlobalData has revealed that the majority of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases were detected at stages I and II in 2021, despite the patient showing no symptoms of the disease at these stages. The leading data and analytics company notes that this data suggests that screening programs, as well as the promptness in which people seek medical advice, are saving lives as CRC is the second most lethal cancer after lung cancer.

Antara Bhattacharya, MPH, Senior Epidemiologist at GlobalData, comments: “GlobalData’s research has identified that 51.52% of colorectal cases were diagnosed in stages I and II. At this stage, this condition is much easier to treat, so early detection can quite literally be a life saver.”

While cases are being caught sooner, the number of diagnoses is on the rise. GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Colorectal Cancer Epidemiology Analysis and Forecast, 2021-2031’, shows that 300,000 more CRC diagnoses are expected in the 8MM* in the next decade, bringing the total number of people with the disease to 1.3 million, according to GlobalData. The company notes that, besides changes in population, this growth is largely due a rise in cases in Urban China.

Bhattacharya continues: “By 2031, China will have the highest number of diagnosed incident cases of CRC in the 8MM, at 0.7 million cases. The increase in diagnosed incidence in Urban China can be attributed to shift towards western diets and lifestyles accompanied by genetics and environmental influences.”

GlobalData’s research also reveals that in 2021, adults aged 50 years and older accounted for almost 92% of the diagnosed incident cases of CRC in the 8MM, while those aged 18 to 49 accounted for only 7.5%. Further, CRC has consistently been described in studies to be more common in men compared to women. GlobalData’s study supported this, with 56.5% diagnosed incident cases of CRC in men and 43.5% in women in 2021.

Bhattacharya adds: “While CRC can be prevented by a combination of drugs, nutritional supplements, healthy diet, and exercise, it is important to use a follow-up treatment and maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent recurrence in adults aged 50 years and older.”

*8MM: The US, 5EU (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK), Japan, and urban China