Epidemiology of colorectal cancer (C18-C21) in Poland

Abstract

Introduction and purpose: Colorectal cancer (C18-C21) is one of the most common malignant neoplasms in the Polish population. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological situation of colorectal cancer in Poland, based on epidemiological data published by Polish National Cancer Registry, the Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology and ECIS - European Cancer Information System.

A brief description of the state of knowledge: In 2018, colorectal cancer was the third most common malignant neoplasm of men in Poland and the second most frequently diagnosed malignant neoplasm in women. In the same year, almost 12,500 deaths due to colorectal cancer were registered in Poland. At that time, this cancer was the second most common cause of death from malignant neoplasms among men and the third among women. In terms of 5-year survival rates for patients with colorectal cancer, despite the improvement observed over the years, Poland is still one of the last places in Europe.

Conclusions: Colorectal cancer, due to its prevalence, is a serious health problem for Polish society. The scale of morbidity and deaths from these cancers, despite the growing medical knowledge and the improved access to modern diagnostic and therapeutic methods, is still worrying. There is an urgent need to intensify activities in the area of cancer prevention at the population level.