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Mortality of colorectal cancer in Taiwan, 1971–2010: temporal changes and age–period–cohort analysis

International Journal of Colorectal Disease volume 27, pages 1665–1672 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer death in developed countries among men (after lung cancer) and the third most common among women. This study thus examines the long-term trends of CRC mortality in Taiwan.

Methods

CRC cases were collective between patients aged 30 years or older and younger than 85 years from the Taiwan death registries during 1971–2010. Standard descriptive techniques such as age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR), aural percent change, and age–period–cohort analyses were used.

Results

The increase of percentage change by each age group in men was higher than in women. The ASMR of CRC increased 2-fold for men and almost 1.5-fold for women during the periods 1971–1975 and 2006–2010. For age–period–cohort analysis, the estimated mortality rate increased steadily with age in both sexes, and plateaued at 175.29 per 100,000 people for men and 128.14 per 100,000 for women in the 80- to 84-year-old group. Period effects were weak in both sexes. Cohort effects were strong. Between 30 and 59 years of age, the sex ratio showed that the female CRC mortality rate was higher than that of their male counterparts. Conversely, the mortality risk of CRC in men was higher than that in women when they were between 60 and 84 years old.

Conclusions

The current findings showed a consistent increase in mortality from CRC over the years. Changes in the patient sex ratio indicated an important etiological role of sex hormones, especially in women aged 60 years or younger.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health and Institute of Public Health, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110 Sec 1 Chien-Kuo N. Road, Taichung City, 40201, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Shih-Yung Su, Jing-Yang Huang, Zhi-Hong Jian, Chia-Chi Lung & Yung-Po Liaw

  2. Department of Health and Leisure Management, Yuanpei University, No. 306 Yuanpei St., Hsinchu City, 300, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Chien-Chang Ho

  3. Department of Leisure Industry and Health Promotion, National Ilan University, No. 1, Sec 1, Shen-Lung Road, Yilan Country, 260, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Chien-Chang Ho

  4. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City, 40201, Taiwan, Republic of China

    Yung-Po Liaw

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  1. Shih-Yung Su
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Su, SY., Huang, JY., Jian, ZH. et al. Mortality of colorectal cancer in Taiwan, 1971–2010: temporal changes and age–period–cohort analysis. Int J Colorectal Dis 27, 1665–1672 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-012-1521-8

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Keywords

  • Age–period–cohort analysis
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Sex ratio
  • Taiwan