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. 2021 Jan 28;11(1):2413.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-81877-2.

Time trends of colorectal cancer incidence and associated lifestyle factors in South Korea

Hayeong Khil #  1 , Sung Min Kim #  2 , SungEun Hong  1 , Hyeon Min Gil  3 , Eugene Cheon  3 , Dong Hoon Lee  4 , Young Ae Kim  5 , NaNa Keum  6   7   8
Affiliations

Time trends of colorectal cancer incidence and associated lifestyle factors in South Korea

Hayeong Khil et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Worldwide, South Korea had the second highest incidence rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) in 2018. To inform public health policy to prevent CRC, we aimed to identify major modifiable lifestyle factors underlying the alarming increase in CRC incidence. We obtained information on CRC statistics from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database and on the distribution of dietary and lifestyle factors known to modify CRC risk from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. To examine time trends between 2001 and 2013, we calculated annual percent changes of CRC incidence rates and of prevalence of etiologic factors by sex and age. Across all sex and age groups, the most commonly diagnosed cancer was rectal cancer while the most rapidly increasing cancer was distal colon cancer. For the lifestyle factors examined, decreases in exercise were observed across all age groups of both sexes. Yet, obesity and alcoholic drinks appear more relevant CRC contributor to men, smoking to women aged 30-49 years, and processed meat intake to adults aged 30-49 years. The heterogeneous results suggest that dietary and lifestyle target to prevent CRC be tailored by sex and age.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Time trend of colorectal cancer incidence rates by sex and anatomical subsite. *Indicates that APC is significantly different from zero at the alpha = 0.05 level. (A) In men. (B) In women.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Time trend of early-onset colorectal cancer incidence rates by sex and anatomical subsite. * Indicates that APC is significantly different from zero at the alpha = 0.05 level. (A) In men. (B) In women.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Time trend of late-onset colorectal cancer incidence rates by sex and anatomical subsite. *Indicates that APC is significantly different from zero at the alpha = 0.05 level. (A) In men. (B) In women.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Time trend of distribution of protective factors by sex and age. * Indicates that APC is significantly different from zero at the alpha = 0.05 level. (A) Physical activity (walking at least 5 days per week). (B) Whole grain intake. (C) Intake of food containing dietary fiber. (D) Dairy intake. (E) Calcium supplement use.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Time trend of distribution of protective factors by sex and age. * Indicates that APC is significantly different from zero at the alpha = 0.05 level. (A) Physical activity (walking at least 5 days per week). (B) Whole grain intake. (C) Intake of food containing dietary fiber. (D) Dairy intake. (E) Calcium supplement use.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Time trend of distribution of risk factors by sex and age. *Indicates that APC is significantly different from zero at the alpha = 0.05 level. (A) Processed red meat intake. (B) Alcoholic intake. (C) Body Mass Index. (D) Waist circumference. (E) Red meat intake. (F) Current smoking.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Time trend of distribution of risk factors by sex and age. *Indicates that APC is significantly different from zero at the alpha = 0.05 level. (A) Processed red meat intake. (B) Alcoholic intake. (C) Body Mass Index. (D) Waist circumference. (E) Red meat intake. (F) Current smoking.
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