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BMC Gastroenterology logoLink to BMC Gastroenterology
. 2022 Apr 25;22:204. doi: 10.1186/s12876-022-02275-0

Burden and trend of colorectal cancer in 54 countries of Africa 2010–2019: a systematic examination for Global Burden of Disease

Atalel Fentahun Awedew 1,, Zelalem Asefa 1, Woldemariam Beka Belay 2
PMCID: PMC9036749  PMID: 35468750

Abstract

Background

Colorectal cancer plays significant role in morbidity, mortality and economic cost in Africa.

Objective

To investigate the burden and trends of incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of colorectal cancer in Africa from 2010 to 2019.

Methods

This study was conducted according to Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 analytic and modeling strategies. The recent GBD 2019 study provided the most updated and compressive epidemiological evidence of cancer incidence, mortality, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and DALYs.

Results

In 2019, there were 58,000 (95% UI: 52,000–65,000), 49,000 (95% UI: 43,000–54,000), and 1.3 million (95% UI: 1.14–1.46) incident cases, deaths and DALYs counts of colorectal cancer respectively in Africa. Between 2010 and 2019, incidence cases, death, and DALY counts of CRC were significantly increased by 48% (95% UI: 34–62%), 41% (95% UI: 28–55%), and 41% (95% UI: 27–56%) respectively. Change of age-standardised rates of incidence, death and DALYs were increased by 11% (95% UI: 1–21%), 6% (95% UI: − 3 to 16%), and 6% (95% UI: − 5 to 16%) respectively from 2010 to 2019. There were marked variations of burden of colorectal cancer at national level from 2010 to 2019 in Africa.

Conclusion

Increased age-standardised death rate and DALYs of colorectal cancer indicates low progress in CRC standard care-diagnosis and treatment, primary prevention of modifiable risk factors and implementation of secondary prevention modality. This serious effect would be due to poor cancer infrastructure and policy, low workforce capacity, cancer center for diagnosis and treatment, low finical security and low of universal health coverage in Africa.

Keywords: Colorectal, Cancer, Africa, Burden

Background

Colorectal cancer plays significant role in morbidity, mortality and economic cost. In 2019, Global Burden Disease study reported that CRC accounted for 1.8 million incidence cases, 0.9 million deaths, and 19 million DALYs worldwide [1]. According to GLOBACAN reported in 2020, colorectal cancer was responsible for more than 1.9 million new incident cases and 0.94 million deaths, making third and second rank for overall cancer incidence and mortality globally [2]. Global incidence cases of CRC doubled or more than doubled in 157 of 204 countries, and mortality due to CRC doubled of more doubled in 129 of 204 countries, pronounced increases were observed in low and Middle SDI countries from 1990 to 2019 [3]. Due to the rapid rising of global population size, aging and human economic development, burden of CRC is predicted to be 2.2 million new cases and 1.1 million cancer deaths by 2030 [4] and 3.2 million new incidence cases in 2040 [5]. This trend alarms all concern bodies to stand for prevention and control of CRC. CRC is the indicator of socioeconomic transition, epidemiological and demographic change. The current global evidence ascertains that trend of CRC has three patterns-rapidly rising in many LMICs which is associated with socioeconomic transition, stabilizing or decreasing in middle high and high income countries [1, 2, 4]. Development of CRC has associated with males and older age. Lifetime risk of CRC estimated approximately 4.4% of men (1 in 23) and 4.1% of women (1 in 25) [6]. Approximately 70% of CRC cases occur sporadic, whereas the remaining 12–35% and 5–7% are linked with familiar and genetic respectively [7, 8]. More than half (55%) of all CRCs have attributed to lifestyle factors, including an unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity, high alcohol consumption, and smoking [6]. Global efforts have tried to alleviate serious effect of cancer, specifically major cancers such as CRC, breast, and cervical cancer. In 2012, World Health Assembly members agreed to reduce premature death from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025 [9]. In 2015, United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals planned to reduce NCD related premature mortality by one-third by 2030 [10]. Understanding the trend and variation in incidence, DALYs and mortality of colorectal cancer helps for public health experts, Professional experts, national policy makers and cancer prevention advocacy groups to bring evidence based decision in their countries and to evaluate the effectives, accessibility, affordability, and efficiency of interventions. GLOBACAN and GBD are the two studies that provide national, regional and global burden of cancers. Despite this evidence, burden of CRC in Africa and nations are not well narrated due to their compressive report. Therefore, considering the aforementioned issues, the present study provides regional and national incidence, mortality and DALYs for colorectal cancer in terms of counts, age-standardised rates, and percentage change for 54 countries from 2010 to 2019.

Methods

The data used for analysis of this study was obtained from GBD2019 data tools (http://ghdx.healthdata.org/gbd-results-tool). The study conducted based on GBD2019 methodology framework and tools. The GBD study provides a standardised approach for estimating incidence, prevalence, and DALYs by cause, age, sex, year, and location for global, regions and countries. The incidence, DALYs and mortality for CRC reported as part of the Global Burden of Disease, injury, and risk factors study 2019. The GBD 2019 estimates provided evidences for 363 causes of non-fatal burden, 302 causes of deaths, and 87 risk factors in 204 countries and territories, 21 regions and 7 supper regions. The main sources of data used for GBD estimation were obtained from cancer registry, vital registration, sample registration system, and verbal autopsy [11]. There are three main standardised tools: Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm), spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR), and DisMod-MI [11]. Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) developed after stepwise data transformation of raw data. First, incidence and mortality data obtain from different sources are transformed into standardised format, categorize and registered. After standardised, cancer registry incidence data and cancer registry mortality data are mapped to GBD causes and standardized to the GBD age groups. Incidence and mortality data from cancer registries were processed before matching the same by cancer, age, sex, year, and location to generate crude mortality-to- incidence (MI) ratio. Finally, MI ratios estimates were estimated using a linear step mixed- effects model using the logit link function, in which healthcare access and quality (HAQ) index served as a covariate. The ST-GPR model has three main hyperparameters that control for smoothing across time, age, and geography. The final mortality estimates were produced using the Cause of Death Ensemble Model (CodeM) using crude mortality estimates as inputs along with other variables taken as covariates. DALYs of CRC was estimated using DisMod-MR 2.1 proportion model. The input of data for DisMod-MR 2.1 was procedure-related disability (ostomies) for all locations by age, sex, and year. Evidence from literature review narrated that an average of 58% of all ostomies are for colorectal cancer, so we multiplied the all-cause ostomies by 0·58 [12].

Result

Colorectal burden of Africa

In 2019, estimated incident new cases of colorectal cancer in Africa were 58,000 (95% UI: 52,000–65,000), with age-standardised 8.7 (95% UI: 8.–9.4) per 100,000 in both sexes. The incidence cases increased significantly from 40,000 (95% UI: 36,000–43,000) in 2010 to 58,000 (95% UI: 52,000–65,000) in 2019, which represented a percentage change of 48% (95% UI: 34–62%) and AAPC 4.4% (95% UI: 4.3–4.5%). Change of age –standardised incidence rate of CRC between 2010 and 2019 was 11% (95% UI: 1–21%) and AAPC was 1.1% (95% UI: 1–1.2%).

In 2019, estimated absolute number of deaths due to colorectal cancer in Africa was 49,000 (95% UI: 43,000–54,000), with age-standardised 8.1 (95% UI: 7.4–8.8) per 100,000. Between 2010 and 2019, deaths due to colorectal cancer increased from 35,000 (95% UI: 31,000–38,000) to 49,000 (95% UI: 43,000–54,000), which represented 41% (95% UI: 28–55%) and AAPC was 3.9% (95% UI: 3.8–4%). Change of age-standardised death rate of CRC between 2010 and 2019 was 6% (95% UI: − 3 to 16%) and AAPC was 0.7% (95% UI: 0.4–1%).

In 2019, estimated DALYs counts of colorectal cancer in Africa were 1.3 milion (95% UI: 1.14–1.46), with age-standardised 180 (95% UI: 160–200) per 100,000. The DALYs counts of colorectal increased significantly from 0.92 million (95% UI: 0.84–1.01) in 2010 to 1.3 million (95% UI: 1.1–1.6 in 2019, which represented 41% (95% UI: 27–56%) and AAPC was 3.7% (95% UI: 3.6–3.8%). Change of age-standardised DALYs rate of CRC between 2010 and 2019 was 6% (95% UI: − 5 to 16%) and AAPC was 0.6% (95% UI: 0.5–0.7%). For comparing purpose, we explored the trends of CRC in Europe, America, Asia and Global (Table 1).

Table 1.

Comparing change of burden of colorectal cancer from 2010 to 2019

Regions Incidence cases Death counts DALYs counts
Value (%) 95% UI (%) Value (%) 95% UI (%) DALYs (%) 95% UI (%)
Global 32 24 41 27 20 33 23 16 30
Africa 48 34 62 41 28 55 41 27 56
America 28 15 41 26 22 31 24 20 29
Asia 46 32 62 37 25 49 31 19 43
Europe 13 2 24 10 5 14 5 1 10
Regions ASIR ASDR Age standardised DALYs rate
Value (%) 95UI% (%) Value (%) 95UI% (%) Value (%) 95% UI (%)
Global 2 − 4 9 − 3 − 8 2 − 3 − 8 3
Africa 11 1 21 6 − 3 16 6 − 5 16
America 0 − 9 11 − 1 − 5 2 − 1 − 5 3
Asia 9 − 1 20 0 − 8 9 1 − 8 10
Europe − 1 − 10 9 − 6 − 10 − 2 − 7 − 11 − 2

Distribution of Burden of CRC among sexes in Africa

In 2019, CRC accounted for 31, 00 (95% UI: 27,000–36,000), 2500 (95% UI: 22,000–29,000), and 6.9 million (95% UI: 6–7.9) incidence cases, deaths and DALYs counts among males in Africa respectively. In Africa, CRC accounted for 27, 00 (95% UI: 24,000–30,000), 2300 (21,000–26,000), and 6.1 million (95% UI: 5.2–7) incidence cases, deaths and DALYs counts respectively among females in 2019. In 2019, age-standardised rates of incidence cases, deaths, and DALYs of CRC were 10.6 (95% UI: 9.4–11.9), 9.2 (95% UI: 8.2–10.3), and 210 (95% UI: 180–230) per 100,000 in African males respectively, and 8.7 (95% UI: 7.7–9.7), 8 (95% UI: 7.1–9), and 170 (95% UI: 150–200) per 100,000 in African females respectively. In Africa, between 2010 and 2019, percentage change of incidence cases, death and DALYs counts of CRC were 48% (95% UI: 31–65%), 40% (95% UI: 23–56%), and 40% (95% UI: 23–57%) in males, respectively, and 47% (95% UI: 31–64%), 42% (95% UI: 27–58%), and 42% (95% UI: 26–60%) in females, respectively. From 2010 to 2019 in Africa, changes of age-standardised rate of incidence, death and DALYs were 12% (95% UI: 0–25%), 7% (95% UI: − 5 to 19%), and 6% (95% UI: − 6 to 18%) respectively in males, and 10% (95% UI: − 1 to 21%), 6% (95% UI: − 4 to 17%), and 6% (95% UI: − 6 to 18%) respectively in females. From 2010 to 2019 in Africa, the average annual percentage change (AAPC) of incidence cases was 4.4% (95% UI: 4.3–4.5) in males and 4.4% (95% UI: 4.3–4.5) in females while AAPC of age-standardised DALYs was 1.3% (95% UI: 1.1–1.4%) in males and 1% (95% UI: 0.9–1.1%) in females.

Age specific distribution of burden of CRC in Africa

In 2019, age specific incidence CRC was peaking at 60–69 years in both males and females. Age specific death counts were peaking at 60–69 years while 65–79 years in females. Most DALYs counts were recorded in 55–64 years in both male and female (Figs. 1, 2, 3).

Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

Age specific incidence cases of colorectal cancer among sexes in Africa, 2019

Fig. 2.

Fig. 2

Age specific death counts of colorectal cancer in among sexes in Africa, 2019

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

Age specific DALYs counts of colorectal cancer among sexes in Africa, 2019

National burden

There were marked variations of burden of colorectal cancer at national level from 2010 to 2019 in Africa. In 2019, highest estimated new incident cases of colorectal cancer observed in Nigeria 7080 (5310–8960), Egypt 6520 (4680–9010), South Africa 5570 (5000–6290), Algeria 3410 (2670–4280), Morocco 3210 (2390–4070), and Ethiopia 3200 (2400–4460) while lowest new incident cases observed in Sao Tome and Principe 16 (11–22), Seychelles 38 (34–44), Comoros 40 (30–60), and Gambia 50 (50–90). In 2019, highest age-standardised new incidence rate of colorectal recorded in Seychelles 35.7 (31.4–40.6), Mauritius 19.8 (16.1–24.2), Botswana 18.8 (13.5–24.5), and Libya 17 (12.4–21.8) per 100,000 while lowest age-standardised rate saw in Central African Republic 6.3 (4.6–8.7), Malawi 6.3 (4.9–7.8), Niger 5.6 (4.2–7.6), and Somalia 5 (3.1–9.2) per 100,000 (Table 2). From 2010 to 2019, highest percentage change of incidence cases of CRC have seen in Djibouti 77% (40–125), Cabo Verde 77% (39–112%), Rwanda 72% (42–109%), Angola 68% (36–114%), and Democratic Republic of the Congo 63% (29–104%) while lowest changes observed Eswatini 20% (− 7 to 61%), Guinea 19% (− 2 to 19%) and Central African Republic 16% (− 8 to 45%). From 2010 to 2019, highest increased age-standardised incidence rate of CRC has seen in Cabo Verde 48% (15–78), Morocco 25% (1–54%), Sao Tome and Principe 22% (2–42%), Sudan 22% (0–48), Ethiopia 21 (− 1 to 42%), whereas decreased age-standardised incidence rate of CRC has seen Somalia—1% (− 19 to 19), Eswatini—2% (− 22 to 28%), South Africa—5% (− 15 to 8%), Central African Republic—8% (− 25 to 13%), Libya—8% (− 33 to 19%) (Table 3).

Table 2.

Incidences case, Deaths, and DALYs of colorectal cancer in 2019

Location Incidence case counts Age-standardised incidence rate Death counts
2019 95% UI 2019 95% UI 2019 95% UI
Africa 58,000 52,000 65,000 8.7 8 9.4 49,000 43,000 54,000
Algeria 3410 2670 4280 10.5 8.3 13 2380 1890 2950
Angola 1080 830 1390 10 8.1 12.5 950 740 1210
Benin 360 280 470 7.8 6.3 9.8 330 260 420
Botswana 250 170 330 18.8 13.5 24.5 190 130 250
Burkina Faso 640 500 820 7.4 5.9 9.4 580 460 740
Burundi 330 240 480 7.3 5.3 10.4 300 220 440
Côte d'Ivoire 950 720 1200 9.6 7.6 11.9 850 660 1070
Cabo Verde 60 50 70 13.4 10.7 15.7 50 40 60
Cameroon 1270 930 1680 11.2 8.6 14.6 1110 840 1460
Central African Republic 140 100 190 6.3 4.6 8.7 130 90 180
Chad 390 300 510 7.3 5.7 9.4 370 290 480
Comoros 40 30 60 9 6.6 11.4 40 30 50
Congo 300 220 400 11.9 9.1 15.4 270 200 350
Democratic Republic of the Congo 2190 1480 3260 6.4 4.2 9.6 2000 1340 2960
Djibouti 70 50 100 11.9 9.1 15.8 60 40 80
Egypt 6520 4680 9010 9.8 7.1 13.4 4560 3300 6270
Equatorial Guinea 70 50 110 15.6 9.8 22.4 60 40 90
Eritrea 280 210 370 10.3 8.1 13.2 250 190 320
Eswatini 80 50 110 14.4 9.8 19.7 70 50 100
Ethiopia 3200 2400 4460 7.7 5.8 10.7 2850 2130 4000
Gabon 170 120 210 16.4 12.1 20.3 140 100 180
Gambia 60 50 90 6.8 5 9.2 60 40 80
Ghana 1490 1160 1900 9.5 7.6 11.9 1270 1000 1610
Guinea 390 300 510 7.3 5.6 9.4 370 280 480
Guinea-Bissau 70 50 80 9.3 7.1 11.7 60 40 70
Kenya 1780 1420 2210 8.2 6.7 10 1630 1280 2040
Lesotho 150 100 190 12 8.8 15.5 130 100 170
Liberia 130 90 190 6.8 4.7 9.7 120 80 170
Libya 900 660 1180 17 12.4 21.8 620 450 800
Madagascar 800 580 1080 7.3 5.4 9.7 710 530 960
Malawi 440 340 560 6.3 4.9 7.8 400 310 510
Mali 680 530 850 8.1 6.4 10.1 610 490 770
Mauritania 170 130 220 8.8 6.8 11.1 160 120 200
Mauritius 340 280 420 19.8 16.1 24.2 210 180 260
Morocco 3210 2390 4070 10.3 7.7 13 2480 1860 3110
Mozambique 900 650 1190 8.7 6.4 11.4 830 610 1090
Namibia 130 100 170 9.7 7.7 12.3 110 90 140
Niger 410 290 560 5.6 4.2 7.6 370 280 510
Nigeria 7080 5310 8960 8.9 6.9 11 6380 4880 8140
Rwanda 550 420 700 9.3 7.4 11.7 480 380 610
Sao Tome and Principe 16 11 22 16.5 12 22.2 14 10 19
Senegal 630 500 800 8.9 7.2 11.1 590 470 730
Seychelles 38 34 44 35.7 31.4 40.6 26 23 30
Sierra Leone 240 190 320 7.1 5.5 9.1 220 170 290
Somalia 330 210 620 5 3.1 9.2 310 200 580
South Africa 5570 5000 6290 12.9 11.6 14.5 4600 4160 5200
South Sudan 370 240 550 9.9 6.6 14.7 350 220 530
Sudan 1560 1110 2340 8.2 6 12.3 1260 900 1850
Togo 280 200 370 8.2 6.1 10.5 250 180 320
Tunisia 1800 1300 2440 14.5 10.5 19.5 1150 840 1550
Uganda 1740 1350 2150 12.3 9.8 14.8 1520 1190 1860
United Republic of Tanzania 2460 1930 3180 10.1 8.1 12.7 2180 1730 2790
Zambia 920 670 1200 13.6 10.1 17.4 790 580 1020
Zimbabwe 930 710 1180 13.8 10.6 17.2 820 620 1030
Location Age-standardised death rate DALYs counts Age-standardised DALYs rate
2019 95% UI 2019 95% UI 2019 95% UI
Africa 8.1 7.4 8.8 1,300,000 1,140,000 1,460,000 180 160 200
Algeria 8 6.4 9.8 57,600 45,200 72,400 170 130 210
Angola 9.7 7.8 12 27,800 20,700 35,900 220 170 280
Benin 7.6 6.2 9.5 8500 6500 11,300 160 130 210
Botswana 15.8 11.6 20.5 5200 3500 7100 350 240 460
Burkina Faso 7.3 5.8 9.1 15,400 11,900 19,900 160 120 200
Burundi 7.2 5.2 10.1 8900 6200 12,900 170 120 240
Côte d'Ivoire 9.4 7.6 11.5 23,400 17,400 30,300 200 160 250
Cabo Verde 11.4 9 13.4 1000 800 1100 220 180 260
Cameroon 10.6 8.3 13.8 30,000 21,600 40,900 230 170 300
Central African Republic 6.4 4.7 8.8 4000 2800 5600 160 110 220
Chad 7.4 5.8 9.3 9800 7400 13,000 160 120 210
Comoros 8.6 6.4 10.8 1000 700 1300 190 140 250
Congo 11.4 8.8 14.5 7500 5300 10,200 260 190 340
Democratic Republic of the Congo 6.2 4.1 9.5 56,300 38,100 83,800 140 100 210
Djibouti 11.2 8.7 14.7 1700 1200 2500 250 180 350
Egypt 7.4 5.4 10.1 133,000 95,300 183,300 180 130 250
Equatorial Guinea 14.2 9.1 20 1700 1000 2500 310 190 450
Eritrea 10 7.9 12.7 7600 5700 10,100 240 180 310
Eswatini 13.5 9.3 18.2 1900 1300 2700 300 200 430
Ethiopia 7.3 5.5 10.4 79,000 58,500 109,700 170 120 240
Gabon 14.9 11.3 18.2 3700 2600 4800 330 240 420
Gambia 6.6 4.8 8.8 1500 1000 2000 140 100 190
Ghana 8.8 7 10.9 34,900 26,500 45,100 190 150 250
Guinea 7.2 5.5 9.2 9400 7000 12,400 160 120 210
Guinea-Bissau 9.1 6.9 11.3 1700 1200 2200 210 150 260
Kenya 8.1 6.5 10 45,300 35,300 57,200 180 140 230
Lesotho 11.7 8.7 15.1 3600 2500 4800 270 190 350
Liberia 6.7 4.6 9.5 3200 2100 4500 140 100 200
Libya 12.5 9.1 15.8 17,100 12,300 22,500 300 220 390
Madagascar 7.1 5.3 9.3 21,600 15,500 29,000 170 120 220
Malawi 6.1 4.7 7.5 10,700 7900 13,900 130 100 170
Mali 7.8 6.3 9.7 16,300 12,500 21,000 170 140 220
Mauritania 8.3 6.5 10.3 3600 2600 4700 170 120 210
Mauritius 12.8 10.5 15.5 5100 4100 6200 290 240 360
Morocco 8.5 6.3 10.5 63,600 47,400 81,100 190 150 250
Mozambique 8.7 6.5 11.2 22,400 15,800 29,800 190 140 250
Namibia 8.7 7 10.8 2800 2100 3700 190 150 240
Niger 5.6 4.2 7.5 10,100 7200 14,000 120 90 160
Nigeria 8.6 6.7 10.8 157,300 116,500 205,200 170 130 220
Rwanda 8.8 7.1 10.8 13,300 10,000 17,500 200 150 250
Sao Tome and Principe 15.2 11.2 20.6 400 200 500 320 230 430
Senegal 8.7 7.1 10.8 14,400 11,000 18,600 180 140 230
Seychelles 25.3 22.2 28.7 600 500 700 550 490 630
Sierra Leone 7 5.4 8.9 5800 4300 7600 150 110 190
Somalia 5 3.2 9.3 9600 6100 17,900 120 80 230
South Africa 11.2 10.1 12.6 111,500 100,300 126,600 240 220 270
South Sudan 10 6.6 14.8 9500 5900 14,700 220 140 340
Sudan 7.1 5.3 10.6 34,700 24,000 50,900 160 120 240
Togo 7.9 5.9 10 6700 4800 9000 170 120 220
Tunisia 9.7 7.2 13 26,500 19,100 36,100 210 150 280
Uganda 11.6 9.2 13.8 43,100 32,500 54,500 270 210 330
United Republic of Tanzania 9.5 7.7 11.8 59,000 45,100 78,200 220 170 280
Zambia 12.6 9.5 16 23,300 16,600 30,700 300 220 380
Zimbabwe 12.9 9.9 16.2 22,800 17,100 29,300 300 220 370

Table 3.

Percentage changes of national incidence cases, deaths and DALYs in Africa from 2010 to 2019

Location Incidence cases ASIR Death counts
Value (%) 95% UI (%) Value (%) 95% UI (%) Value (%) 95% UI (%)
Africa 48 34 62 11 1 21 41 28 55
Algeria 57 24 98 10 − 12 38 43 14 79
Angola 68 36 114 14 − 4 43 63 31 105
Benin 42 19 70 3 − 12 21 40 19 65
Botswana 51 19 92 9 − 11 36 41 12 77
Burkina Faso 59 35 92 18 2 39 55 32 85
Burundi 40 15 73 0 − 17 21 39 15 69
Côte d'Ivoire 39 11 73 4 − 14 25 38 12 69
Cabo Verde 77 39 112 48 15 78 65 28 100
Cameroon 47 18 83 6 − 14 29 41 14 75
Central African Republic 16 − 8 45 − 8 − 25 13 16 − 8 45
Chad 40 15 68 6 − 11 27 37 14 63
Comoros 44 17 75 10 − 10 32 40 14 68
Congo 53 23 90 9 − 11 33 49 20 84
Democratic Republic of the Congo 63 29 104 20 − 4 49 58 26 97
Djibouti 77 40 125 13 − 8 39 71 35 115
Egypt 59 18 110 20 − 9 56 45 9 89
Equatorial Guinea 60 20 120 13 − 13 52 53 16 105
Eritrea 47 21 79 9 − 8 32 43 19 73
Eswatini 20 − 7 61 − 2 − 22 28 16 − 9 55
Ethiopia 62 33 92 21 − 1 42 56 30 83
Gabon 37 9 72 7 − 13 32 31 5 63
Gambia 47 15 81 13 − 10 39 43 13 75
Ghana 53 26 86 14 − 5 35 48 22 77
Guinea 19 − 2 46 7 − 11 29 16 − 4 40
Guinea-Bissau 29 6 57 2 − 15 22 27 5 54
Kenya 53 29 79 9 − 7 27 46 26 69
Lesotho 25 − 2 57 12 − 11 40 20 − 5 50
Liberia 34 8 68 3 − 16 27 31 6 63
Libya 35 − 3 76 − 8 − 33 19 35 − 1 75
Madagascar 47 17 84 5 − 15 30 44 16 79
Malawi 38 11 67 3 − 15 22 36 10 62
Mali 42 18 70 7 − 10 28 38 16 65
Mauritania 41 10 71 8 − 14 29 35 8 63
Mauritius 54 23 90 16 − 6 43 47 20 80
Morocco 61 31 99 25 1 54 48 21 82
Mozambique 44 12 82 15 − 8 44 40 11 77
Namibia 47 18 81 18 − 4 44 37 12 68
Niger 57 30 91 9 − 8 28 55 29 86
Nigeria 41 6 84 8 − 17 38 38 7 82
Rwanda 72 42 109 17 − 2 39 67 38 100
Sao Tome and Principe 50 23 74 22 2 42 40 17 63
Senegal 46 19 78 13 − 7 36 42 17 72
Seychelles 49 29 69 15 0 31 37 19 55
Sierra Leone 48 20 82 10 − 9 34 42 17 74
Somalia 35 8 66 − 1 − 19 19 34 9 64
South Africa 22 8 39 − 5 − 15 8 16 4 32
South Sudan 24 1 55 1 − 16 25 23 0 54
Sudan 57 28 93 22 0 48 45 20 80
Togo 53 25 88 7 − 12 27 49 22 81
Tunisia 53 18 101 13 − 12 48 38 8 79
Uganda 54 25 88 12 − 7 34 51 23 81
United Republic of Tanzania 50 22 79 12 − 7 33 46 21 74
Zambia 63 29 101 11 − 11 36 53 22 90
Zimbabwe 29 4 61 4 − 15 29 27 3 58
Location ASDR DALYS counts Age-standardised DALYS rate change
Value (%) 95% UI (%) Value (%) 95% UI (%) Value (%) 95% UI (%)
Africa 6 − 3 16 41 27 56 6 − 5 16
Algeria 1 − 19 24 39 9 76 − 1 − 23 26
Angola 11 − 8 36 59 25 101 7 − 17 41
Benin 2 − 12 19 41 16 71 5 − 14 27
Botswana 3 − 16 27 40 8 80 5 − 23 45
Burkina Faso 16 0 35 61 34 98 21 0 50
Burundi − 1 − 17 18 40 14 74 0 − 20 26
Côte d'Ivoire 3 − 14 22 36 6 71 7 − 14 34
Cabo Verde 41 8 70 62 30 94 19 − 4 47
Cameroon 2 − 16 24 41 12 81 3 − 20 33
Central African Republic − 8 − 25 13 15 − 9 45 − 8 − 32 23
Chad 5 − 11 25 38 14 68 8 − 12 34
Comoros 7 − 11 28 45 12 78 10 − 16 36
Congo 7 − 13 30 47 15 87 0 − 24 31
Democratic Republic of the Congo 17 − 5 45 60 25 102 16 − 9 49
Djibouti 9 − 11 32 66 28 116 8 − 17 38
Egypt 10 − 15 41 46 9 92 6 − 20 37
Equatorial Guinea 9 − 15 46 53 11 114 − 1 − 30 45
Eritrea 7 − 10 29 41 14 72 9 − 15 38
Eswatini − 6 − 25 22 11 − 15 51 − 9 − 36 34
Ethiopia 16 − 4 36 54 27 81 13 − 8 38
Gabon 3 − 15 25 31 2 68 − 4 − 27 27
Gambia 11 − 11 34 44 11 80 13 − 14 45
Ghana 10 − 8 29 46 18 81 7 − 14 31
Guinea 5 − 12 25 22 − 1 49 6 − 15 32
Guinea-Bissau 1 − 15 21 26 3 57 2 − 18 28
Kenya 5 − 9 21 44 23 71 7 − 13 35
Lesotho 9 − 13 35 23 − 5 56 9 − 23 47
Liberia 3 − 15 24 36 7 72 4 − 17 30
Libya − 8 − 32 18 35 − 5 77 − 10 − 38 18
Madagascar 4 − 15 27 45 15 82 6 − 17 35
Malawi 2 − 15 20 36 7 68 4 − 20 30
Mali 5 − 11 24 41 15 73 4 − 16 27
Mauritania 4 − 15 24 31 0 64 0 − 22 23
Mauritius 10 − 10 34 38 11 71 11 − 10 37
Morocco 17 − 4 44 45 17 78 5 − 16 31
Mozambique 13 − 9 41 42 9 82 15 − 15 57
Namibia 11 − 8 35 37 8 72 10 − 18 45
Niger 8 − 9 25 55 26 90 10 − 9 34
Nigeria 7 − 16 37 39 4 91 9 − 25 62
Rwanda 14 − 4 34 63 32 100 13 − 8 39
Sao Tome and Principe 17 − 1 35 48 20 75 9 − 11 30
Senegal 10 − 8 32 43 13 78 13 − 12 42
Seychelles 8 − 5 22 40 22 60 6 − 13 28
Sierra Leone 7 − 10 29 45 17 83 10 − 12 38
Somalia − 2 − 18 17 33 8 64 0 − 20 27
South Africa − 9 − 17 3 13 0 30 − 10 − 24 7
South Sudan 0 − 17 23 22 − 3 58 2 − 17 34
Sudan 15 − 5 39 47 17 86 10 − 14 40
Togo 4 − 13 24 46 17 82 8 − 14 33
Tunisia 2 − 20 32 35 4 79 0 − 25 33
Uganda 10 − 9 30 51 19 87 14 − 11 46
United Republic of Tanzania 10 − 7 29 47 17 81 14 − 8 40
Zambia 6 − 15 29 55 19 97 7 − 18 38
Zimbabwe 3 − 16 28 29 3 64 3 − 23 40

In terms of death counts in both sexes, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Ethiopia were the leading four countries with 6380 (4880–8140), 4600 (4160–52), 4560 (3300–6270), and 2850 (2130–4000) deaths respectively in 2019. Comoros 40 (30–50), Seychelles 26 (23–30), and Sao Tome and Principe 14 (10–19) had lowest death counts in 2019. In 2019, Seychelles 25.3 (22.2–28.7), Botswana 15.8 (11.6–20.5), Sao Tome and Principe 15.2 (11.2–20.6), and Gabon 14.9 (11.3–18.2) per 100,000 had a highest age-standardised death rate whereas Democratic Republic of the Congo 6.2 (4.1–9.5), Malawi 6.1 (4.7–7.5), Niger 5.6 (4.2–7.5), and Somalia 5 (3.2–9.3) per 100,000 had a lowest age-standardised death rate (Table 2). From 2010 to 2019, highest percentage change of death counts due to CRC observed in Djibouti 71% (35–115%), Rwanda 67% (38–100%), Cabo Verde 65% (28–100%), Angola 63% (31–105%), Democratic Republic of the Congo 58% (26–97%), and Ethiopia 56% (30–83%) while lowest change observed in Eswatini 16% (− 9 to 55%), Guinea 16% (− 4 to 40%), Central African Republic 16% (− 8 to 45%), and South Africa 16% (4–32%). Cabo Verde 41% (8–70%), Democratic Republic of the Congo 17% (− 5 to 45%), Morocco 17% (− 4 to 44%) had highest percentage change of age-standardised death rate, while Burundi—1% (− 17 to 18%), Somalia—2% (− 18 to 17%), Eswatini—6% (− 25 to 13%), Central African Republic—8% (− 25 to 13%), Libya—8% (− 32 to 18%), and South Africa—9% (− 17 to 3%) had decreased age-standardised death rate from 2010 to 2019 (Table 3).

In 2019, DALYs counts due to CRC in Africa were ranging from 400 to 157, 3000. The four leading countries in terms of DALYs counts in both sexes were Nigeria 157,300 (116,500–205,200), Egypt 133,000 (95,300–183,300), South Africa 111,500 (100,300–126,600), and Ethiopia 79,000 (58,500–109,700) while Comoros, Seychelles, and Sao Tome and Principe had lowest DALYs counts with 1000 (700–1300), 600 (500–700) and 400 (200–500) respectively in 2019. In 2019, Seychelles 550 (490–630), Botswana 350 (240–460), Gabon 330 (240–420), Sao Tome and Principe 320 (230–430), and Equatorial Guinea 310 (190–450) per 100,000 had highest DALYs counts, whereas Malawi 130 (100–170), Niger 120 (90–160), and Somalia 120 (80–230) per 100,000 had lowest DALYs counts in Africa (Table 2). From 2010 to 2019, Djibouti 66% (28–116%), Rwanda 63% (32–100%), Cabo Verde 62% (30–94%), Burkina Faso 61% (34–98%), and Democratic Republic of the Congo 60% (25–102) had highest percentage change DALYs counts, while Central African Republic 15% (− 9 to 45%), South Africa 13% (0–30%), and Eswatini 11% (− 15 to 51%) lowest percentage of DALYs counts in Africa. From 2010 to 2019, Decreased age-standardised DALYs rate was observed in Algeria—1% (− 23 to 26%), Equatorial Guinea—1% (− 30 to 45%), Gabon—4% (− 27 to 27%), Central African Republic—8% (− 32 to 23%), Eswatini—9% (− 36 to 34%), Libya—10% (− 38 to 18%), and South Africa—10% (− 24 to 7%) (Table 3).

Discussion

From 2010 to 2019, age-standardised rates and counts of incidence cases, deaths, and DALYs of colorectal cancer in Africa increased with heterogeneous trend across the nations. The absolute numbers of incidence cases of CRC have increased in Asia, America, and Europe as well as worldwide. In addition to this, age standardised incidence rate of CRC also raised from 2010 to 2019 globally and in all regions except in Europe. Changes of incidence cases ranged from 16% in Central African Republic to 77% in Djibouti. More than 90% of countries had increased age-standardised incidence rate, however, decreased age-standardised incidence rate observed in Somalia, Eswatini, South Africa, Central African Republic, and Libya. This trend of CRC has attributed to population growth, aging, changing risk factors, adopting screening, increasing diagnosis, and registration of colorectal cancer mainly in Africa and Asia. Increased absolute incident cases and age-standardised incidence rate of CRC indicates that change in environmental, demographic, epidemiological, and sociodemographic have played a significant role in rising of burden of colorectal cancer in Africa. More than 55% [6] of colorectal cancer can be prevented with evidence based modification of strong modifiable risk factors such as smoking [13], weight gain [14], alcohol consumption [15], and lack of physical inactivity [16] and unhealthy diet. Change of living standards in transition countries in North Africa has exposed new risk factors such as sedentary life and metabolic syndrome. The colorectal cancer has a male predilection with peaking 60–69 years; however, the disparity is not much as western. This might be due to males have higher prevalence rates of modifiable risk factors such as smoking [17], alcohol consumption [18] and protective effect of estrogen for CRC in females [19].

From 2010 to 2019, we found that death counts and age-standardised death rates of CRC have increased in Africa. Increased death counts were also observed in America, Asia, Europe and globally. However, trend of age-standardised death rate of CRC has decreased in America, Europe and global as whole with slight stable change in Asia. From 2010 to 2019, heterogeneity trend and burden of CRC mortality has noticed across nations of Africa. Mortality CRC related has increased significantly, ranging from 16 to 71% with more than 90% of countries had increased age-standardised death rate, however, decreased age-standardised incidence rate was observed only in Burundi, Somalia, Eswatini, South Africa, Central African Republic, and Libya. Increased absolute colorectal cancer related mortality and age-standardised death rate have associated to increased population size and change age structure, decreasing mortality from other disease, increased risk factors, low rate of screening, diagnosis, and, treatment in Africa. There are a strong evidence described that mortality and incidence of colorectal cancer can be reduced through screening. Apply primary, secondary and tertiary prevention modality such as reduction of modifiable risk factors and adopting evidence based screening modality are key steps to achieve sustainable development goals [10] and 25 by 25 targets [9] of colorectal cancer.

DALYs measurement is an important indicator of quality of CRC cares. Results from this study revealed that absolute DALYs counts and age-standardised rates of CRC have increased between 2010 and 2019 in Africa. Increased DALYs counts of colorectal cancer is a global phenomenon, however, change in Africa as compared with Asia, America, Europe, and global as a whole was invariably significant. Despite regions and global have increased DALYs counts of CRC between 2010 and 2019, trend of age-standardised DALYs rate of CRC was decreasing in America, Europe and global as whole with slight stable in Asia. Most of DALYs was contributed from YLL in Africa, which indicates low survival rate. Increased age-standardised rate of death and DALYs of colorectal cancer indicates low efforts and progresses for CRC standard and qualitive care-early diagnosis and treatment, primary prevention of modifiable risk factors and implementation of secondary prevention modality in Africa and across most nations. This serious effect would be due to poor cancer infrastructure and policy, low workforce capacity, cancer center to diagnosis and treatment, low finical security and low of universal health coverage in Africa. Geographical variation of screening of CRC has attributed to geographic variation in CRC incidence, ability in identify the target population at risk, economic resource, human resource capacity, health care structure, infrastructure, and health care policy and direction [20]. Evidence from mathematical modeling study recommended that colonoscopy screen in Africa begins at age of 50 years [21]. Estimated efficacy of colorectal screening ranged from 2.6% (single screen with fecal occult blood test) to over 50% (such as colonoscopy every 10 years, or annual fecal occult blood test and sigmoidoscopy every 5 years) [21]. However, recommendation of population based CRC screen in Africa is questionable due high burden of communicable disease, low human capacity, availability of colonoscopy, and relatively low burden of CRC as compared as other health condition [22]. Several factors might have contributed to low rate of quality of CRC care in Africa such as inaccessibility of screening [20], early detection, low quality and skill in oncological surgery, inaccessibility of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, target therapy and palliative therapy [23].

Limitation

GBD studies provide qualitive, compressive, and up-dated evidence of global, regional and national burden of diseases for policy maker, researcher and planner. This study has played a great and invaluable role, particularly for Africa. The main limitation of this study is unavailability and quality of data sources. Therefore, African nation should have improved cancer registration, collaborated and provided data to IHME, and follow the prediction and give feedback.

Conclusion

Increased age-standardised rate of incidence, death and DALYs have been observed in Africa and across a nations. Evidence from this analysis showed that there is fast rising burden of colorectal cancer due to increased prevalence of modifiable risk factors such as smoking, alcohol, unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, and metabolic syndrome. Observation indicates that there are low efforts and progresses in CRC standard and qualitative care-evidence based early diagnosis and treatment, primary prevention of modifiable risk factors and implementation of secondary prevention modality. This alarm all nations and global community to call integrated, comparative and resilience measures for prevention, awareness creation, adopting screening, and evidence based treatments and rehabilitations.

Acknowledgements

We send special appreciation and respection to IHME staffs and collaborators for their commitment and energy for producing Global Burden of Disease study output.

Abbreviations

AAPC

Annual average percentage change

ASDR

Age-standardized death rate

ASIR

Age-standardized incidence rate

CRC

Colorectal cancer

GBD

Global Burden of Disease

IHME

Institute of Heath Metrics and Evaluation

WHO

World Health Organization

Author contributions

A.F. and Z.A. conceptualized of the study, A.F. and W.B. drafted the manuscript, A.F. generate all data from GBD 2019 tools, A.F., Z.A., W.B. write the result, Z.A. and A.F. write discussion, A.F. and W.B. table and figure preparation, A.F., Z.A., W.B. finalized the final paper. All authors approved the final version of manuscript.

Funding

No funding given for this study.

Availability of data and materials

Data are available in GBD 2019 tools (http://ghdx.healthdata.org/gbd-results-tool).

Declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

Authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Footnotes

Publisher's Note

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Contributor Information

Atalel Fentahun Awedew, Email: atalel.fentahun@aau.edu.et.

Zelalem Asefa, Email: zelalem.asefa@aau.edu.et.

Woldemariam Beka Belay, Email: weldemariambeka@gmail.com.

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Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Data Availability Statement

Data are available in GBD 2019 tools (http://ghdx.healthdata.org/gbd-results-tool).


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