EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF COLORECTAL CANCER CASES IN PATIENTS UNDER 50 IN BRAZIL IN THE LAST 10 YEARS

Abstract

In Brazil, colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third in incidence of neoplasms, without considering non-melanoma skin tumors, according to the National Cancer Institute (INCA, 2023). Over the last few years, there has been a progressive increase in this impact among individuals under 50 years of age in various parts of the world (VAKIL N, et al., 2021). With this in mind, the objective of this study is to analyze the epidemiological profile of CRC in Brazil from 2013 to 2022 in patients under 50 years of age. Methodology: Cross-sectional, documentary and quantitative study, based on data available on the platform of the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) of the Ministry of Health from 2013 to 2022. The source used was the Oncology Panel, and patients were covered who were diagnosed with one of the codes listed below: C18 – Malignant Neoplasm of the Colon, C19 – Malignant Neoplasm of the Rectosigmoid Junction, C20 – Malignant Neoplasm of the Rectum. The demographic variables analyzed were gender, age group, period of diagnosis and geographic region of residence in Brazil, from January 2013 to December 2022. Results: According to the DATASUS database, in 2013, 3,111 people were diagnosed with CRC between the ages of 20-49 years, in 2022, 6,724 new cases were registered, with a 116% increase in CRC notifications, with a higher incidence among the age group of 45 to 49 years. Conclusion: there was a significant increase in the number of new reported cases of CRC in patients under 50 years of age in the period analyzed, highlighting the importance of notifying the diagnosis in younger individuals in order to encourage early CRC screening and reduce negative outcomes of this disease. More studies are needed to corroborate the analysis of CRC cases in younger people, contributing to assertive actions in the search for early diagnosis of CRC.