Bowel cancer: early deaths expected to grow 10% between 2026 and 2030 in Brazil

A projection carried out by INCA (National Cancer Institute) predicts that the premature deaths in consequence of Bowel cancer is expected to rise by about 10% in adults aged 30 to 69 between 2026 and 2030 in Brazil. The research carried out by INCA was published in the magazine Frontiers in Oncology January 10th.

The survey considered data from 2000 to 2015 to project the number of premature deaths until 2030. Subsequently, this estimate was compared with deaths between 2011 and 2015.

The analysis was performed for several types of tumors, but bowel cancer showed the highest projected increase in all Brazilian regions for females and males. According to the data, it is estimated that there will be 27,000 more premature deaths between 2026 and 2030 by this tumor compared to previous years, with 14 thousand more among men and 13 thousand more among women.

Read more: Bowel cancer symptoms may vary depending on the location of the tumor.

Among the male audience, the North region had the highest projected increase (52%), followed by the Northeast (37%), Midwest (19.3%), South (13.2%) and Southeast (4.5% ). Regarding women, the Northeast leads (38%), followed by the Southeast (7.3%), North (2.8%), Midwest (2.4%) and South (0.8%). The article written by INCA researchers was entitled “Can the sustainable development goals for cancer be met in Brazil?”.

“The Sustainable Development Goals were determined in 2015, and provide for a reduction target of one third of premature mortality due to chronic non-communicable diseases. Our results indicate that, if nothing is done, Brazil will not achieve this reduction in terms of cancer”, comments Marianna de Camargo Cancela, researcher at INCA’s Coordination of Prevention and Surveillance (Conprev).

Bowel cancer is the second most incident in Brazil

According to the 2023 Estimate – Cancer Incidence in Brazil, published by INCA, the Bowel cancer is the second most incident in the countryboth among men and among women, second only to prostate cancer and breast cancer, respectively.

In addition, each year of the 2023-2025 triennium, approximately 46,000 new cases of colorectal cancercorresponding to about 10% of all tumors diagnosed in Brazil (with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer).

“Brazil is going through what we call a demographic and epidemiological transition, in which, in addition to population aging, risk factors for both chronic and infectious diseases coexist. Bowel cancer has a high incidence in developed countries, and the most urbanized regions of the country have also been showing this trend”, explains Marianna Cancela.

Bowel cancer cases on the rise among young people

Another survey, carried out by INCA researchers based on Population-Based Cancer Registries, also identified that there was an increase in the incidence of bowel cancer in the 20-49 age groups. This growth worries specialists, since colorectal tumors are commonly diagnosed in older people and, for this reason, preventive and screening tests are recommended from 45 years of age.

Know more: Colorectal cancer: how can stool give warning signs?

What may be related to this increase is an unhealthy lifestyle, associated with smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol, red meat and ultra-processed foods. In addition, obesity can also be a risk factor, according to oncologist Andréia Melo, vice president of the Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology (SBOC).

“Obesity is related to metabolic, hormonal and pro-inflammatory changes that can lead to the development of cancer,” said the expert in an interview with MinhaVida. “This inflammatory state is currently listed as one of the main factors for cancer and, therefore, we must prioritize a healthy diet, consuming less fat and simple carbohydrates”, she adds.