Increased Incidence of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer in Low Sociodemographic Index Countries: Higher Rising Burden in Young Females

Introduction Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is becoming a growing concern due to its increased incidence among younger individuals, particularly in areas with limited healthcare access and funding, such as in countries with a low sociodemographic index (SDI). However, there are limited studies regarding this problem. Therefore, our study primarily aims to address the dearth of knowledge in this area by assessing the trends in EOCRC in low SDI countries over 10 years. Methods In this study, we analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 to investigate the changes in EOCRC over time in low SDI countries. Our analysis involved determining the yearly frequencies and age-standardized rates (ASRs) of EOCRC incidence, death, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) by gender. Results In 2019, the number of newly diagnosed EOCRC cases in low SDI countries was 7,716, while the global cases were 225,736. The incidence rates of EOCRC increased significantly higher in low SDI countries compared to the global average between 2010 and 2019, with a 1.38-fold higher increase among females. Mortality rates and DALYs also increased in the low SDI countries, with the annual percentage change from 2010 to 2019 of 0.96 (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 0.88-1.03) and 0.91 (95% UI: 0.83-0.98), respectively. Conclusion Our research highlights a significant rise in CRC in low SDI countries, particularly in the female population. Therefore, it emphasizes the need for prompt and efficient interventions, including but not limited to effective screening methods and mitigation of risk factors.