Increased incidence of colorectal cancer in the Split-Dalmatia County: Epidemiological study

Aim. To investigate the incidence of colorectal cancer in the Split-Dalmati a County in the 1981-1998 period, and compare it with the incidence in the Republic of Croatia. Methods. The data were obtained using case records and registries of all ho spitals and Public Health Institute in the County and the Croatian Cancer R egistry. Age-standardized incidence per 100,000 was calculated from the num ber of patients with colorectal cancer and the number of inhabitants. Results. There were 2,454 new cases of colorectal cancer (1,383 men and 1,0 71 women) in the Split-Dalmatia County in 1981-1998. Colon cancer was diagn osed in 55% of the cases. Age-standardized incidence rates for colorectal c arcinoma per 100,000 population were 11.4 (men 14.8, women 9.0) in 1981, an d 63.5 (men 93.1, women 42.5) in 1998. The total incidence increased from 1 6.1 (colon cancer 7.9, rectal cancer 8.2) in 1981-1985 period to 52.8 (colo n cancer 30.5, rectal cancer 22.3) in 1994-1998 period, or approximately 3. 3 times. The colorectal cancer incidence rate in the Split-Dalmatia County increased from 16.2 in 1985 to 46.4 in 1995, and in whole Croatia fr om 32.4 in 1985 to 37.8 in 1995. Conclusion. There was a great increase in the reported incidence of colorectal cancer in the Split-Dalmatia County in the 1981-1998 period. The relative increase of incidence in the colorectal cancer was much greater in the Split-Dalmatia County than in Croatia as a whole. These changes call for preventive and screening measures for colorec tal carcinoma.