Bowel cancer rates in developed countries are treble those in less developed countries

Source: GLOBOCAN 2008 http://globocan.iarc.fr

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. Around 1.2 million cases of bowel cancer were recorded in 2008, accounting for around 10 per cent of all new cancer cases. It is predicted that the number of cases will rise to 2.2 million by 2030.

The age standardised rate for bowel cancer in developed countries was about three times that in less developed countries (30 versus 11 per 100,000 population).

Incidence rates for bowel cancer were highest in Australia and New Zealand, most of Europe and North America and lowest in Africa. The rate per 100, 000 population was 39 in Australia and New Zealand nearly four times that in Middle Africa. About a third (35 per cent) of new cases of bowel cancer were diagnosed in Europe.

Bowel cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide (608 000 deaths, 8% of the total). The highest mortality rates are in Central and Eastern Europe and the lowest in Middle Africa.

The WCRF/AICR Second Expert Report concluded that the risk of bowel cancer is increased with high intakes of red and processed meat, drinking alcohol and being overweight. Physical activity and increased consumption of foods containing dietary fibre decreased the risk of bowel cancer.

Age standardised incidence rates for bowel cancer 2008