The Incidence Rate of Colorectal Cancer in Saudi Arabia: An Observational Descriptive Epidemiological Analysis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed malignancy and its incidence, as well as mortality rate, is increasing globally. In this paper, the epidemiological analysis of CRC which includes colon cancer (CC) and rectum cancer (RC) is done among the Saudi Arabian population based on the registered cases in the Saudi cancer registry between 2006 and 2016. The study describes the crude incidence rates (CIRs) and age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) of colorectal cancer by year of diagnosis, age group, and administrative regions to explore the spread, distribution, trend, and factual state of the disease in Saudi Arabia.

For statistical analysis of data, t-test, sex ratio, descriptive statistics, and Kruskal-Wallis were done using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0 (SPSS). A total of 7849 and 5164 of colorectal cancer and rectum cancer cases were reported from January 2006 to December 2016, respectively.

Results displayed that CRC is more frequent in males than females and have a high mean number and percentage in the old age group (60-75 and above). Riyadh (for CC and RC), Makkah (CC), and Eastern Province (RC) showed the highest mean CIR and ASIR for males. The highest CIR sex ratio was calculated in Jouf and Madinah for CC whereas Qassim, Jazan, and Tabuk were calculated highest for RC. Highest ASIR sex ratio reported in Jouf (CC) and Tabuk (RC). Lowest CIR and ASIR among males were reported in Baha (CC) and northern region (RC). In females, the highest mean CIR and ASIR were reported in Riyadh (CC and RC) and Makkah (CC). Lowest CIR and ASIR among females were reported in Jazan in both CC and RC.

Regions of Eastern Province, Northern Region, and Jouf showed the most significant changes of CIRs and ASIRs for both cancers, whereas the least significant change was reported in Jazan from 2006 to 2016.