Epidemiological trends of colorectal cancer in the Nordic countries

Cancer of the colorectum is the second most common cancer in the Nordic countries, after breast cancer. In this report, following Møller et al. (Eur J Cancer Prev 2002; 11 Suppl: S1-96), trends in incidence of colon and rectum cancers in the five Nordic countries are presented from 1958-1962 to 1993-1997, with future predictions for 2003-2007. The data originate from population-based cancer registries in each of the Nordic countries. Two thirds of the cases are colon cancers and one-third rectum cancers. From 1958-1962 to 1993-1997, the incidence of colon cancer has increased in all Nordic countries and the rates are predicted to increase further in Finland, Iceland, and Norway. The incidence rate of rectum cancer has increased slightly in Finland, Iceland, and Sweden, whereas the rate has decreased steadily in Denmark, originally a high-incidence country. In Norway the rates have increased substantially in both genders. Marked differences exist between individual Nordic countries in colorectal cancer incidence trends and known dietary or other life style associated factors cannot fully explain them.