Temporal trends in colorectal cancer mortality in Greece, 2014-2022: a Joinpoint regression analysis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most deadly cancer worldwide; however, data on CRC mortality in Greece remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate temporal trends in CRC mortality in Greece between 2014 and 2022, focusing on sex- and age-groups.

CRC mortality and demographics were gathered from the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT). Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were calculated, using age-specific mortality rates standardized to the WHO standard population. For age subgroups, crude mortality rates were analyzed. Temporal trends were established using Joinpoint regression with estimation of annual percent change (APC).

During the study period, there were 24,973 CRC-related deaths (14,201 men, 56.8%). The overall AAMRs were 10.7 [95% confidence interval (CI) 10.3-11.1] per 100,000 population in 2014 and 10.2 (95%CI 9.7-10.6) in 2022, exhibiting no significant change (APC -0.62, 95%CI -1.34 to 0.13; P=0.11). Men had consistently higher AAMRs than women throughout the study. The AAMRs for women significantly declined between 2014 and 2022 (APC -1.02, 95%CI -1.98 to -0.03; P=0.03). Contrarily, the decline was not significant in men (APC -0.35, 95%CI -1.34 to 0.67; P=0.48). All age subgroups for both sexes exhibited declining trends, except for men 45-59 years who showed a non-significant uptrend throughout the study, and men <45 years who showed a significant increase between 2017 and 2022.

In Greece, CRC mortality significantly declined between 2014 and 2022 in women, although not in men. Increasing trends observed in younger men warrant further consideration, aiming to optimize prevention and outcomes of CRC.