Does the Increasing Trend of Colorectal Cancer Incidence in Jeddah Reflect a Rise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?

Background: The aim of this study was to outline the trend in the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) inthe city of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), for comparison with previously published national CRCdata. Materials and
Methods: A retrospective data analysis was performed on all cases of CRC diagnosedbetween January 2000 and December 2006 amongst Saudi patients in Jeddah using data retrieved from theSaudi Cancer Registry (SCR). Descriptive analysis was performed and results were compared to national CRCdata from the SCR.
Results: In Jeddah, 644 cases of CRC were diagnosed during the time period, accountingfor 15% of all CRC cases in KSA. Males were more commonly affected than females (58% versus 42%). Themale preponderance of CRC was similar to that observed at a national level. In Jeddah, the incidence was higheramong those >45 years (77.0%), and the mean age at diagnosis was 57 years. At diagnosis, 10% of patientspresented with localized disease; 25% presented with distant metastasis and the remaining patients had variousstages of regional extension. Adenocarcinomas accounted for 72% of cases. Statistical analysis did not revealany clinically significant differences between cases diagnosed in Jeddah and those diagnosed throughout KSA.
Conclusions: The increased trend in the incidence of CRC in Jeddah between 2000 and 2006 mirrors the recenttrend in KSA. This highlights the magnitude of this healthcare hazard, not only in Jeddah, but also across thecountry and supports the need for preventive measures and early detection of the disease.