In New Zealand, rectal cancer is on the rise among adults aged below 50.
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In those aged 50-79 years, there was a reduction in incidence per decade of proximal, distal, and rectal cancers in both sexes.
In individuals aged 80 years and older, proximal cancer incidence per decade increased by 19% in women and by 25% in men; among women, the incidence of distal colonic cancer decreased by 8%, as did that of rectal cancer.
The study's investigators noted that New Zealand has among the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the world, with a median annual age-standardized rate per 10,000 of 55 for men and 44 for women.
A national colorectal cancer screening programme has been piloted, but it has yet to be introduced.
The findings are published in the British Journal of Surgery.
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Source-Eurekalert