Dong Y, Fan ZZ, Li WT, Kang J, Zhang Y, Guan Y, Xu HQ, Yuan J, Xu F. Burden of gastrointestinal cancers among working-age population over past thirty years in China. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16(9): 3955-3979 [PMID: 39350983 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i9.3955]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Fei Xu, PhD, Professor, Department of Primary Healthcare Management, Nanjing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 3 Zizhulin, Nanjing 210003, Jiangsu Province, China. frankxufei@163.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Clinical and Translational Research
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Yu Dong, Yan Zhang, Yue Guan, Jie Yuan, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210006, Jiangsu Province, China
Zhuan-Zhuan Fan, Wen-Ting Li, Fei Xu, Department of Primary Healthcare Management, Nanjing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing 210003, Jiangsu Province, China
Jian Kang, Department of Emergency, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
Hui-Qing Xu, Fei Xu, Department of Epidemiology, Nanjing Medical University School of Public Health, Nanjing 211116, Jiangsu Province, China
Author contributions: Yuan J and Xu F conceived, designed and supervised the study, they are the co-corresponding authors of this manuscript; Dong Y and Fan ZZ were responsible for data acquisition, and they contributed equally to this manuscript; Fan ZZ was responsible for data analysis; Dong Y, Fan ZZ, Li WT, Kang J, Zhang Y, Guan Y, Xu HQ, Yuan J, and Xu F wrote and critically reviewed the manuscript. All authors approved the final version for submission and was also responsible for all aspects of the work presented in this manuscript.
Supported byNanjing Medical Science and Technique Development Foundation, No. YKK22195; and the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 52078254.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Fei Xu, PhD, Professor, Department of Primary Healthcare Management, Nanjing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 3 Zizhulin, Nanjing 210003, Jiangsu Province, China. frankxufei@163.com
Received: June 27, 2024 Revised: July 15, 2024 Accepted: August 7, 2024 Published online: September 15, 2024 Processing time: 73 Days and 22.5 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Although gastrointestinal (GI) cancers have been becoming a great public health concern in China, there is currently a lack of comprehensive literature on the overall burden and changing trends of GI cancers in the working-age population.
AIM
To assess the burden of GI cancers and to examine the overall, age- and gender-specific trends among the working-age population in China from 1990 to 2019.
METHODS
Data were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The burden of GI cancers was indicated by incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate, and age-standardized DALYs rate. Trends in the burden of GI cancers from 1990 to 2019 were examined using annual percent change and average annual percent change with Joinpoint regression models.
RESULTS
For overall GI cancers, a declining trend was observed in the ASIR, age-standardized mortality rate, and age-standardized DALYs rate, with reductions of 0.74%, 2.23%, and 2.22%, respectively, from 1999 to 2019 in the Chinese working-age population. However, an increasing trend was observed in the ASIR for overall GI cancers from 2016-2019. The number of either incident cases, mortality cases, and DALYs was higher for colon/rectum cancer and liver cancer in younger participants but lower for esophageal, gallbladder, biliary tract, pancreatic, and stomach cancer among older subjects. Moreover, sex disparity in the GI cancers burden was also examined over 30 years.
CONCLUSION
The total burden of GI cancers remained heavy among the working-age population in China, although declining trends were observed from 1999 to 2019. Disparities in the GI cancers burden existed between sexes, age groups, and cancer types. Population-based precision prevention strategies are needed to tackle GI cancers among working-age individuals, considering the age, sex, and cancer type disparities in China.
Core Tip: This is the first study that systematically assessed total burden of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers among the working-age population in China. It was observed that GI cancers burden remained much heavy among working-age population, although declining trends in burden of GI cancers were examined from 1990 to 2019 in China. Moreover, substantial disparities in burden of GI cancers existed between genders, age-groups and cancer types. This study has important public health implications that precision prevention policies and strategies are needed for tackling GI cancers among working-age people with consideration of age-, gender- and type-specific effective and accessible approaches in China.
Citation: Dong Y, Fan ZZ, Li WT, Kang J, Zhang Y, Guan Y, Xu HQ, Yuan J, Xu F. Burden of gastrointestinal cancers among working-age population over past thirty years in China. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16(9): 3955-3979
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are malignant conditions of the GI tract or the accessory organs involved in digestion, including esophagus, stomach, biliary system, pancreas, intestine, rectum and anus[1]. Common types of GI cancers include colon and rectal cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, and gallbladder and biliary tract cancer[1,2]. In 2020, there were approximately 5 million newly-identified GI cancer cases and 3.5 million deaths worldwide[3]. China, the most populous country, accounted for 18.2% of the overall global population[4] but reported disproportionately as high as 37.4% of the total GI cancer cases diagnosed in 2020 worldwide[3]. Meanwhile, of all cancer cases recorded in China in 2020, 38.8% were GI cancers[5]. Thus, the disease burden caused by GI cancers is much heavier in China, and should be assessed systemically and periodically for informing precision prevention of GI cancers.
GI cancers usually have a poor prognosis. Patients also have a lowed quality of life and, in particular, reduced labor capacity for those at working age[6]. Working-age people, or the workforce, typically refer to those aged 15-64 years worldwide[7]. In China, individuals aged 15-64 years are officially defined as the workforce by the China National Bureau of Statistics[8]. In 2020, 68.7% of residents in China were aged 15-64[4]. For the workforce, labor capacity is vital not only for community-level social production and economic development, but also for personal earnings and family livelihood. To date, the disease burden of GI cancers was reported only for the overall population at the global, regional, and country levels[3,9-14]. No study has assessed the GI cancer burden for working-age population, the crucial individuals for society, and families. To fill this gap, we estimated the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of GI cancers to systematically assess the disease burden for the working-age subpopulation in China. Specifically, we investigated the burden of GI cancers and their temporal trends from 1990 to 2019 and then compared the disease burden trends between types of GI cancer, sexes, and age groups over the three decades.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Data sources and definitions
In this study, all information on GI cancers was obtained from The Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019) using the GBD results tool (data source: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Available at: https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/. Used with permission. All rights reserved). The methodology, metrics, and statistical strategies of the GBD 2019 study have been detailed elsewhere[15-17]. The GI cancers analyzed in the present study were colorectal, esophageal, gallbladder and biliary tract, liver, pancreatic, and stomach cancers. GI cancers were identified based on the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes: Colon and rectal cancer (C18, C19, C20, and C21), esophageal cancer (C15), gallbladder and biliary tract cancer (C23 and C24), liver cancer (C22), pancreatic cancer (C25), and stomach cancer (C16).
Data were extracted from GBD 2019 using such a search strategy, assigning “number and rate” as the metrics, “both, male and female” as the sex, “15 to 64 years and corresponding 5-year bands” as the age, “incidence, deaths, and DALYs” as the measure, “China” as the location, “1990-2019” as the years, and “colon and rectum, esophageal, gallbladder and biliary tract, liver, pancreatic, and stomach cancer” as the causes. All data in the GBD study were publicly available without personal identification; therefore, ethical approval was waived for this study.
Study population and measures
The study participants were working-age people in China, referring to those aged 15-64 years according to the official definition of working-age people by the China National Bureau of Statistics[8]. Working-age individuals diagnosed with any of the six types of GI cancer were subjects with outcome events in this study. Statistical outcome measures included case number and incidence rate, mortality number, mortality rate, DALYs, DALYs rates, age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), and age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR) of GI cancers. The annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC) were calculated to examine trends in the burden of GI cancers over the three decades. Participants were classified by sex and categorized into 10 age-groups with a 5-year interval for the analysis.
Statistical analysis
First, the burden of GI cancers by participant age, sex, and cancer type was assessed using a descriptive analysis approach. The number of cases of incidence and mortality, DALYS, ASIR, ASMR, and ASDR, together with the 95% uncertainty interval (95%UI), were estimated for each GI cancer by sex and age. The sum of the individual burdens caused by colon, rectal, esophageal, gallbladder, biliary tract, liver, pancreatic, and stomach cancers was calculated to determine the total burden of all six GI cancers[18]. The ASIR, ASMR, and ASDR of GI cancers among working-age populations were estimated using the directed method of standardization[17], which is a widely used standardization approach[19].
Second, Joinpoint regression models were introduced to calculate the AAPC and APC for the crude incidence rate (CIR), crude mortality rate (CMR), crude DALYs rate (CDR), ASIR, ASMR, and ASDR to assess temporal trends in the burden of GI cancers from 1990 to 2019 among the working-age population in China. The AAPC/APC value was then used to examine temporal trends in the incidence, mortality, and DALYs of GI cancers, with APC/AAPC > 0 indicating an increasing trend and APC/AAPC < 0 indicating a declining trend[20]. The Joinpoint regression analysis was conducted using the Joinpoint Regression Program software (version 4.9.0.1, Statistical Research and Applications Branch, National Cancer Institute, United States), and all other analyses were performed using R software (version 4.1.3).
RESULTS
Burden of GI cancers among overall working-age population in China in 2019
Table 1 presents the burden of GI cancer among the working-age population of China in 2019. For all kinds of GI cancer analyzed in this study, the total number of reported incidence and death case, separately, was 825870 (95%UI: 667914-1005427) and 473970 (95%UI: 382518-578412), while the overall DALYs was 17083512 (95%UI: 13852170-20783548) among working-age population in 2019 in China. Of the six kinds of GI cancer, the three most common types were colon and rectal cancer (283322 cases, 95%UI: 234698-339847), stomach cancer (258317 cases, 95%UI: 208931-314979), and liver cancer (122607 cases, 95%UI: 97932-151349) according to the number of incidence case. When assessed using DALYs, the top three cancers were stomach cancer (5108526 cases, 95%UI: 4165635-6172708), liver cancer (3735886 cases, 95%UI: 3011992-4586337), and colon and rectal cancer (3527247 cases, 95%UI: 2949667-4194243). Moreover, stomach cancer (144177cases, 95%UI: 117126-174989), liver cancer (99340 cases, 95%UI: 80088-122060), and colon and rectal cancer (92784 cases, 95%UI: 76834-111032) also ranked in the top three among the six types of GI cancer based on the number of cases of mortality.
Table 1 Burden of gastrointestinal cancers among working-age population in China 1990-2019.
Participants
Type of GI cancers
1990
2019
1990
2019
1990
2019
Incident case (95%UI)
ASIR (95%UI)
Incident case (95%UI)
ASIR (95%UI)
Mortality case (95%UI)
ASMR (95%UI)
Mortality case (95%UI)
ASMR (95%UI)
DALYs (95%UI)
ASDR (95%UI)
DALYs (95%UI)
ASDR
Overall
Colon and rectum cancer
59982 (51662-69155)
9.19 (7.92-10.58)
283322 (234698-339847)
21.82 (18.09-26.14)
39243 (33370-45379)
6.06 (5.15-7.00)
92784 (76834-111032)
7.08 (5.87-8.46)
1551325 (1321613-1795526)
232.54 (198.14-269.02)
3527247 (2949667-4194243)
276.29 (231.34-328.05)
Esophageal cancer
83601 (52815-101343)
13.5 (8.53-16.36)
100481 (77654-125529)
7.37 (5.70-9.2)
77754 (48830-94098)
12.57 (7.90-15.21)
82457 (64032-103637)
6.04 (4.70-7.59)
2667461 (1669627-3231928)
427.7 (267.89-518.13)
2776889 (2165721-3490970)
204.47 (159.64-257)
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
5783 (4618-9086)
0.91 (0.72-1.44)
13353 (9311-16517)
1.01 (0.70-1.25)
5089 (4037-8055)
0.80 (0.64-1.28)
10839 (7901-13359)
0.81 (0.59-1.00)
186982 (148524-288642)
28.9 (22.97-45.15)
376720 (275756-464927)
28.53 (20.87-35.2)
Liver cancer
163523 (133423-200151)
25.3 (20.62-30.98)
122607 (97932-151349)
9.47 (7.58-11.68)
151613 (123716-185529)
23.56 (19.21-28.85)
99340 (80088-122060)
7.61 (6.14-9.35)
5934861 (4849189-7246002)
901.79 (736.1-1102.08)
3735886 (3011992-4586337)
293.91 (237.06-360.47)
Pancreatic cancer
14947 (12533-17462)
2.35 (1.97-2.75)
47790 (39387-57206)
3.59 (2.96-4.29)
13993 (11678-16500)
2.21 (1.85-2.61)
44372 (36537-53335)
3.32 (2.74-3.99)
510853 (425892-603413)
79.26 (66.09-93.55)
1558243 (1283400-1874362)
118.61 (97.75-142.63)
Stomach cancer
167983 (143406-194818)
26.54 (22.65-30.79)
258317 (208931-314979)
19.6 (15.89-23.86)
147121 (124564-170800)
23.34 (19.76-27.11)
144177 (117126-174989)
10.8 (8.79-13.09)
5346879 (4534010-6202702)
833.88 (706.71-967.6)
5108526 (4165635-6172708)
389.57 (318.39-469.71)
All GI cancers
495819 (398457-592016)
77.78 (62.42-92.89)
825870 (667914-1005427)
62.86 (50.91-76.42)
434813 (346195-520361)
68.54 (54.5-82.05)
473970 (382518-578412)
35.67 (28.82-43.49)
16198362 (12948854-19368214)
2504.05 (1997.89-2995.53)
17083512 (13852170-20783548)
1311.38 (1065.04-1593.06)
Female
Colon and rectum cancer
26640 (21308-32353)
8.55 (6.85-10.36)
92647 (71959-117263)
14.32 (11.11-18.15)
17436 (13922-21216)
5.64 (4.50-6.85)
30156 (23607-38017)
4.63 (3.62-5.84)
685852 (548140-836447)
215.63 (172.52-262.39)
1131966 (891965-1417160)
178.33 (140.28-223.35)
Esophageal cancer
21747 (11072-27418)
7.34 (3.73-9.25)
17032 (12295-22055)
2.54 (1.83-3.29)
19571 (10003-24688)
6.62 (3.38-8.35)
11179 (8317-14480)
1.66 (1.23-2.15)
651951 (335203-823783)
218.91 (112.25-276.38)
367832 (274504-475564)
54.92 (40.95-71.05)
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
2871 (2122-4710)
0.95 (0.70-1.56)
5808 (3487-7731)
0.88 (0.53-1.17)
2536 (1865-4288)
0.84 (0.62-1.43)
4662 (2873-6177)
0.70 (0.43-0.92)
91445 (67071-151766)
29.79 (21.89-49.84)
158513 (98069-210224)
23.94 (14.82-31.8)
Liver cancer
37701 (28919-48516)
12.26 (9.42-15.74)
21942 (16829-28109)
3.38 (2.59-4.34)
35035 (26803-45164)
11.45 (8.78-14.75)
18356 (14060-23353)
2.80 (2.14-3.56)
1335631 (1016929-1723984)
426.56 (325.5-549.72)
657433 (502843-837012)
102.83 (78.53-131.04)
Pancreatic cancer
5516 (4430-6670)
1.82 (1.47-2.2)
16130 (12563-20380)
2.42 (1.88-3.05)
5163 (4117-6293)
1.71 (1.37-2.09)
14952 (11725-18767)
2.23 (1.75-2.8)
186134 (148305-227692)
60.64 (48.37-74.03)
510739 (400674-641427)
77.35 (60.62-97.16)
Stomach cancer
52953 (42468-64157)
17.24 (13.85-20.86)
60640 (47197-76580)
9.45 (7.35-11.94)
46685 (37528-56368)
15.29 (12.31-18.44)
35994 (28087-45498)
5.51 (4.30-6.97)
1750712 (1404045-2120016)
560.77 (450.37-677.79)
1296908 (1014007-1637485)
203.67 (159.06-257.22)
All GI cancers
147429 (110318-183823)
48.16 (36.01-59.98)
214198 (164329-272118)
32.99 (25.30-41.93)
126426 (94239-158017)
41.56 (30.95-51.89)
115299 (88669-146292)
17.53 (13.47-22.25)
4701725 (3519694-5883688)
1512.29 (1130.89-1890.15)
4123391 (3182062-5218871)
641.05 (494.27-811.61)
Male
Colon and rectum cancer
33342 (26831-40539)
9.77 (7.85-11.88)
190675 (146570-243048)
29.16 (22.47-37.08)
21807 (17394-26522)
6.44 (5.13-7.84)
62628 (48259-79637)
9.49 (7.33-12.03)
865472 (693050-1050247)
248.07 (198.45-301.18)
2395280 (1867748-3008970)
371.97 (290.90-465.92)
Esophageal cancer
61853 (39574-77609)
19.11 (12.25-23.98)
83449 (62294-107873)
12.13 (9.06-15.67)
58183 (36214-72589)
18.00 (11.22-22.45)
71278 (53690-92312)
10.36 (7.81-13.42)
2015511 (1247431-2515787)
617.82 (382.93-771.08)
2409057 (1823793-3117767)
351.64 (266.55-455.06)
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
2912 (2131-4838)
0.87 (0.64-1.46)
7545 (4975-9893)
1.13 (0.75-1.49)
2552 (1903-4239)
0.77 (0.57-1.29)
6176 (4255-8150)
0.92 (0.63-1.21)
95538 (71137-154166)
28.07 (20.94-45.93)
218207 (150468-287046)
33.00 (22.74-43.35)
Liver cancer
125821 (98064- 158708)
37.17 (28.94-46.91)
100665 (77103-129041)
15.43 (11.84-19.74)
116577 (91020-147041)
34.58 (26.98-43.66)
80984 (61960- 103400)
12.32 (9.44-15.71)
4599231 (3600710-5786258)
1334.42 (1043.34-1680.88)
3078453 (2361884-3917311)
480.20 (368.89-609.84)
Pancreatic cancer
9431 (7333-11700)
2.84 (2.21-3.52)
31661 (24192-40467)
4.73 (3.62-6.04)
8830 (6903-11074)
2.67 (2.09-3.35)
29421 (22464-37573)
4.39 (3.36-5.60)
324719 (253742-407077)
96.23 (75.17-120.71)
1047505 (801913-1335710)
158.94 (121.96-202.39)
Stomach cancer
115030 (92556-139124)
35.04 (28.18-42.4)
197678 (152032-253149)
29.58 (22.80-37.79)
100436 (80334-121207)
30.71 (24.55-37.07)
108183 (82801-137765)
16.01 (12.28-20.36)
3596166 (2885420-4333655)
1082.86 (868.18-1305.91)
3811618 (2935329-4823650)
572.22 (441.97-722.54)
All GI cancers
348390 (266489-432518)
104.8 (80.06-130.16)
611672 (467167-783471)
92.16 (70.54-117.81)
308387 (233768-382672)
93.16 (70.53-115.66)
358671 (273430-458837)
53.49 (40.85-68.33)
11496637 (8751490-14247189)
3407.47 (2589-4225.69)
12960121 (9941135-16490455)
1967.97 (1513.01-2499.1)
The ASIR, ASMR and ASDR were 62.86 (95%UI: 50.91-76.42), 35.67 (95%UI: 28.82-43.49) and 1311.38 (95%UI: 1065.04-1593.06), respectively, among overall participants in 2019 in China. Additionally, the highest ASIR (21.82, 95%UI: 18.09-26.14) was determined for colon and rectal cancer, whereas the highest ASMR (10.8, 95%UI: 8.79-13.09) and ASDR (389.57, 95%UI: 318.39-469.71) were recorded for stomach cancer among all types of GI cancer among working-age people in China.
Trends in the burden of GI cancers among overall working-age population from 1990 to 2019 in China
Table 2 shows the temporal trends in the burden of GI cancers among the working-age population of China from 1990 to 2019. For overall GI cancers, a sustained downward trend was observed in ASIR, ASMR, and ASDR, with reductions of 0.74%, 2.23%, and 2.22%, respectively, over the three decades. However, an unfavorable upward trend in ASIR (APC = 1.64%, P < 0.001) was observed for overall GI cancers in the recent period of 2016-2019 among participants.
Table 2 Temporal trends in burden of gastrointestinal cancers among working-age population in China 1990-2019.
Measure of burden
Gender
Type of GI cancers
AAPC
P value
Trend 1
Trend 2
Trend 3
Trend 4
Trend 5
Trend 6
Years
APC
P value
Years
APC
P value
Years
APC
P value
Years
APC
P value
Years
APC
P value
Years
APC
P value
ASIR
Overall
Colon and rectum cancer
3.00
< 0.001
1990-1996
-0.02
0.852
1996-2000
2.99
< 0.001
2000-2004
7.64
< 0.001
2014-2010
4.80
< 0.001
2010-2016
1.00
< 0.001
2016-2019
3.57
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-2.08
< 0.001
1990-1997
-1.29
< 0.001
1997-2004
2.40
< 0.001
2004-2007
-4.68
< 0.001
2007-2014
-6.37
< 0.001
2014-2017
-3.22
< 0.001
2017-2019
0.83
0.129
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
0.33
0.137
1990-1995
-2.52
< 0.001
1995-1998
-1.275
0.236
1998-2001
4.62
0.001
2001-2014
7.719
< 0.001
2014-2007
1.45
0.186
2007-2019
-1.17
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-3.35
< 0.001
1990-1994
2.2
< 0.001
1994-1998
-2.12
< 0.001
1998-2001
-6.75
< 0.001
2001-2005
-17.96
< 0.001
2005-2010
-2.16
< 0.001
2010-2019
1.36
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.43
< 0.001
1990-1995
-0.73
< 0.001
1995-1998
1.48
0.06
1998-2004
3.48
< 0.001
2004-2011
1.78
< 0.001
2011-2016
-0.15
0.512
2016-2019
2.85
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-1.05
< 0.001
1990-1996
-2.50
< 0.001
1996-1999
-0.03
0.967
1999-2004
4.00
< 0.001
2004-2010
-2.44
< 0.001
2010-2016
-3.34
< 0.001
2016-2019
0.11
0.756
All GI cancers
-0.74
< 0.001
1990-1993
-0.20
0.558
1993-1998
-1.11
< 0.001
1998-2002
-0.15
0.658
2002-2016
-1.39
< 0.001
2016-2019
1.61
< 0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
Female
Colon and rectum cancer
1.77
< 0.001
1990-1996
-0.31
0.037
1996-2001
1.89
< 0.001
2001-2004
4.72
< 0.001
2014-2010
3.03
< 0.001
2010-2016
0.16
0.399
2016-2019
3.67
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-3.63
< 0.001
1990-1998
-1.36
< 0.001
1998-2004
2.40
< 0.001
2004-2008
-8.67
< 0.001
2008-2013
-10.57
< 0.001
2013-2016
-6.15
< 0.001
2016-2019
0.17
0.81
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.26
0.115
1990-1998
-2.61
< 0.001
1998-2001
4.169
< 0.001
2001-2004
7.40
< 0.001
2004-2007
0.13
0.888
2007-2014
-2.31
< 0.001
2014-2019
-0.81
0.001
Liver cancer
-4.40
< 0.001
1990-1995
0.06
0.826
1995-1998
-3.90
0.006
1998-2001
-7.45
< 0.001
2001-2005
-16.59
< 0.001
2005-2011
-3.56
< 0.001
2011-2019
-0.17
0.223
Pancreatic cancer
0.96
< 0.001
1990-1995
-0.05
0.811
1995-1998
0.60
0.515
1998-2002
2.27
< 0.001
2002-2007
1.23
0.001
2007-2016
-0.01
0.892
2016-2019
3.83
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-2.04
< 0.001
1990-1998
-2.44
< 0.001
1998-2004
1.35
< 0.001
2004-2015
-4.21
< 0.001
2015-2019
-0.19
0.399
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
All GI cancers
-1.29
< 0.001
1990-1993
-0.89
0.009
1993-1998
-1.68
< 0.001
1998-2003
-0.40
0.049
2003-2013
-2.54
< 0.001
2013-2016
-1.51
0.023
2016-2019
1.91
< 0.001
Male
Colon and rectum cancer
3.82
< 0.001
1990-1996
0.17
0.183
1996-2000
4.04
< 0.001
2000-2004
10.27
< 0.001
2014-2011
5.39
< 0.001
2011-2016
0.91
0.002
2016-2019
3.86
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-1.56
< 0.001
1990-1997
-1.12
< 0.001
1997-2004
2.67
< 0.001
2004-2007
-3.35
< 0.001
2007-2014
-5.28
< 0.001
2017-2017
-3.13
< 0.001
2017-2019
0.8
0.211
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
0.90
< 0.001
1990-1995
-2.23
< 0.001
1995-1998
-0.42
0.596
1998-2001
5.48
< 0.001
2001-2005
7.18
< 0.001
2005-2010
0.64
0.021
2010-2019
-0.93
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-2.99
< 0.001
1990-1994
2.71
< 0.001
1994-1998
-1.76
< 0.001
1998-2001
-6.38
< 0.001
2001-2005
-18.26
< 0.001
2005-2010
-1.55
< 0.001
2010-2019
1.85
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.74
< 0.001
1990-1995
-1.19
< 0.001
1995-1999
2.43
< 0.001
1999-2004
4.65
< 0.001
2004-2012
2.32
< 0.001
2011-2016
-0.53
0.23
2016-2019
2.52
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-0.60
< 0.001
1990-1996
-2.39
< 0.001
1996-1999
0.43
0.587
1999-2004
5.16
< 0.001
2004-2010
-1.66
< 0.001
2010-2016
-3.12
< 0.001
2016-2019
-0.06
0.884
All GI cancers
-0.45
< 0.001
1990-1992
0.51
0.45
1992-1998
-0.78
< 0.001
1998-2001
0.12
0.856
2001-2012
-0.84
< 0.001
2012-2016
-1.25
0.002
2016-2019
1.56
< 0.001
ASMR
Overall
Colon and rectum cancer
0.52
< 0.001
1990-1997
-1.22
< 0.001
1997-2000
1.71
0.009
2000-2004
4.69
< 0.001
2004-2011
0.64
< 0.001
2011-2016
-1.56
< 0.001
2016-2019
1.19
0.001
Esophageal cancer
-2.49
< 0.001
1990-1998
-1.26
< 0.001
1998-2004
2.43
< 0.001
2004-2007
-5.55
< 0.001
2007-2014
-6.80
< 0.001
2014-2017
-3.63
< 0.001
2017-2019
0.02
0.97
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.01
0.951
1990-1995
-2.73
< 0.001
1995-1998
-1.60
0.136
1998-2001
4.44
0.001
2001-2014
7.45
< 0.001
2004-2007
0.93
0.379
2007-2019
-1.57
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-3.80
< 0.001
1990-1996
1.11
< 0.001
1996-2000
-4.43
< 0.001
2000-2004
-18.45
< 0.001
2004-2007
-5.81
0.001
2007-2012
-2.34
< 0.001
2012-2019
1.51
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.38
< 0.001
1990-1995
-0.77
< 0.001
1995-1998
1.41
0.07
1998-2004
3.49
< 0.001
2004-2011
1.71
< 0.001
2011-2016
-0.23
0.325
2016-2019
2.76
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-2.66
< 0.001
1990-1997
-3.04
1997-2000
0.72
0.318
2000-2004
2.9
2004-2015
-5.16
< 0.001
2015-2019
-2.91
N/A
N/A
N/A
All GI cancers
-2.23
< 0.001
1990-1993
-0.63
0.01
1993-2000
-1.46
< 0.001
2000-2004
-2.79
< 0.001
2004-2014
-3.66
< 0.001
2014-2017
-1.48
0.003
2017-2019
-0.12
0.77
Female
Colon and rectum cancer
-0.72
< 0.001
1990-1997
-1.7
< 0.001
1997-2001
0.13
0.712
2001-2004
1.67
0.037
2004-2011
-0.98
< 0.001
2011-2015
-2.49
< 0.001
2015-2019
0.61
0.018
Esophageal cancer
-4.72
< 0.001
1990-1998
-2.23
< 0.001
1998-2004
1.53
0.001
2004-2007
-9.83
< 0.001
2007-2013
-11.69
< 0.001
2013-2016
-7
0.001
2016-2019
-1.32
0.122
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.65
< 0.001
1990-1998
-3.00
< 0.001
1998-2001
3.93
0.001
2001-2004
7.26
< 0.001
2004-2007
-0.55
0.545
2007-2014
-2.77
< 0.001
2014-2019
-1.17
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-4.74
< 0.001
1990-1996
-0.31
0.087
1996-2000
-5.65
< 0.001
2000-2004
-16.99
< 0.001
2004-2007
-6.39
< 0.001
2007-2012
-4.25
< 0.001
2012-2019
0.04
0.771
Pancreatic cancer
0.91
< 0.001
1990-1997
0.01
0.962
1997-2006
1.81
< 0.001
2006-2016
-0.09
0.381
2016-2019
3.75
< 0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Stomach cancer
-3.48
< 0.001
1990-1998
-3.13
< 0.001
1998-2004
0.39
0.011
2004-2014
-6.42
< 0.001
2014-2019
-2.58
< 0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
All GI cancers
-2.93
< 0.001
1990-1993
-1.39
0.001
1993-2004
-2.36
< 0.001
2004-2013
-5.21
< 0.001
2013-2016
-2.31
0.003
2016-2019
-0.25
0.455
N/A
N/A
N/A
Male
Colon and rectum cancer
1.32
< 0.001
1990-1996
-0.99
< 0.001
1996-1999
1.23
0.036
1999-2004
6.53
< 0.001
2004-2011
1.66
< 0.001
2011-2016
-1.25
< 0.001
2016-2019
1.15
0.001
Esophageal cancer
-1.89
< 0.001
1990-1997
-1.23
< 0.001
1997-2004
2.42
< 0.001
2004-2007
-3.86
< 0.001
2007-2014
-5.73
< 0.001
2014-2017
-3.49
< 0.001
2017-2019
0.14
0.819
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
0.61
< 0.001
1990-1995
-2.31
< 0.001
1995-1998
-0.60
0.449
1998-2001
5.31
< 0.001
2001-2005
6.8
< 0.001
2005-2010
0.25
0.325
2010-2019
-1.33
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-3.47
< 0.001
1990-1996
1.66
< 0.001
1996-2000
-4.57
< 0.001
2000-2005
-17.1
< 0.001
2005-2012
-1.84
< 0.001
2012-2019
1.92
< 0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
Pancreatic cancer
1.69
< 0.001
1990-1995
-1.21
< 0.001
1995-1999
2.41
< 0.001
1999-2004
4.63
< 0.001
2004-2012
2.25
< 0.001
2012-2016
-0.61
0.164
2016-2019
2.43
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-2.26
< 0.001
1990-1996
-3.02
< 0.001
1996-1999
-0.43
0.652
1999-2004
3.6
< 0.001
2004-2008
-4.01
< 0.001
2008-2015
-4.97
< 0.001
2015-2019
-3.02
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-1.92
< 0.001
1990-1993
-0.34
0.436
1993-2000
-1.01
< 0.001
2000-2015
-2.96
< 0.001
2015-2019
-0.75
0.011
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
ASDR
Overall
Colon and rectum cancer
0.59
< 0.001
1990-1997
-0.99
< 0.001
1997-2000
1.71
0.002
2000-2004
4.09
< 0.001
2004-2011
0.67
< 0.001
2011-2016
-1.29
< 0.001
2016-2019
1.55
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-2.53
< 0.001
1990-1997
-1.43
< 0.001
1997-2004
1.99
< 0.001
2004-2007
-5.58
< 0.001
2007-2014
-6.98
< 0.001
2014-2017
-3.48
< 0.001
2017-2019
0.21
0.71
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.02
0.895
1990-1998
-2.23
< 0.001
1998-2001
4.58
< 0.001
2001-2004
6.58
< 0.001
2004-2007
0.98
0.167
2007-2015
-1.74
< 0.001
2015-2019
-0.97
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-3.77
< 0.001
1990-1996
1.17
< 0.001
1996-2000
-4.55
< 0.001
2000-2004
-18.41
< 0.001
2004-2007
-5.82
0.001
2007-2012
-2.31
< 0.001
2012-2019
1.6
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.37
< 0.001
1990-1995
-0.72
0.001
1995-1998
1.67
0.044
1998-2004
3.27
< 0.001
2004-2011
1.63
< 0.001
2011-2016
-0.17
0.477
2016-2019
2.88
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-2.61
< 0.001
1990-1997
-2.89
< 0.001
1997-2000
0.89
0.15
2000-2004
2.51
< 0.001
2004-2015
-5.17
< 0.001
2015-2019
-2.56
< 0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
All GI cancers
-2.22
< 0.001
1990-1994
-0.66
0.002
1994-2000
-1.46
< 0.001
2000-2005
-3.33
< 0.001
2005-2013
-3.70
< 0.001
2013-2016
-1.97
0.002
2016-2019
-0.17
0.535
Female
Colon and rectum cancer
-0.68
< 0.001
1990-1996
-1.22
< 0.001
1996-2005
-0.08
0.108
2005-2011
-0.98
< 0.001
2011-2015
-2.21
< 0.001
2015-2019
0.78
< 0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
Esophageal cancer
-4.70
< 0.001
1990-1998
-1.80
< 0.001
1998-2004
1.19
0.001
2004-2007
-10.13
< 0.001
2007-2013
-11.76
< 0.001
2013-2016
-6.92
< 0.001
2016-2019
-1.2
0.081
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.73
< 0.001
1990-1998
-2.59
< 0.001
1998-2001
3.49
< 0.001
2001-2004
5.87
< 0.001
2004-2007
-0.74
0.308
2007-2014
-2.8
< 0.001
2014-2019
-1.12
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-4.77
< 0.001
1990-1996
0.19
0.214
1996-2000
-5.50
< 0.001
2000-2004
-17.77
< 0.001
2004-2007
-6.54
< 0.001
2007-2012
-4.27
< 0.001
2012-2019
0.03
0.83
Pancreatic cancer
0.85
< 0.001
1990-1997
0.27
0.042
1997-2001
1.91
0.001
2001-2007
0.84
0.001
2007-2016
-0.11
0.28
2016-2019
3.73
< 0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
Stomach cancer
-3.44
< 0.001
1990-1997
-2.79
< 0.001
1997-2004
-0.59
< 0.001
2004-2014
-6.31
< 0.001
2014-2019
-2.41
< 0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
All GI cancers
-2.91
< 0.001
1990-1994
-1.31
< 0.001
1994-2000
-1.92
< 0.001
2000-2004
-3.77
< 0.001
2004-2013
-5.03
< 0.001
2013-2016
-2.18
0.001
2016-2019
-0.13
0.601
Male
Colon and rectum cancer
1.38
< 0.001
1990-1996
-1.03
< 0.001
1996-1999
1.18
0.053
1999-2004
6.46
< 0.001
2004-2011
1.64
< 0.001
2011-2016
-0.99
< 0.001
2016-2019
1.59
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-1.93
< 0.001
1990-1997
-1.18
< 0.001
1997-2004
2.45
< 0.001
2004-2007
-4.15
< 0.001
2007-2014
-5.95
< 0.001
2014-2017
-3.34
< 0.001
2017-2019
0.35
0.572
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
0.53
< 0.001
1990-1995
-2.49
< 0.001
1995-1998
-0.82
0.304
1998-2001
4.94
< 0.001
2001-2004
7.62
< 0.001
2004-2008
1.66
0.001
2008-2019
-1.13
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-3.44
< 0.001
1990-1996
1.59
< 0.001
1996-2000
-4.74
< 0.001
2000-2005
-16.87
< 0.001
2005-2012
-1.84
< 0.001
2012-2019
2.00
< 0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
Pancreatic cancer
1.71
< 0.001
1990-1995
-1.25
< 0.001
1995-1999
2.47
< 0.001
1999-2004
4.66
< 0.001
2004-2012
2.17
< 0.001
2012-2016
-0.49
< 0.001
2016-2019
2.63
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-2.21
< 0.001
1990-1996
-3.03
< 0.001
1996-1999
-0.26
0.751
1999-2004
3.67
< 0.001
2004-2008
-4.17
< 0.001
2008-2015
-4.99
< 0.001
2015-2019
-2.66
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-1.91
< 0.001
1990-1993
-0.15
0.699
1993-2000
-1.13
< 0.001
2000-2014
-3.07
< 0.001
2004-2019
-0.79
< 0.001
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
As for the burden of specific GI cancers, three main patterns of temporal trends were identified for ASIR, ASMR, and ASDR among working-age individuals over three decades in China. First, an increasing trend was observed for colon, rectal, and pancreatic cancer. Second, a declining trend was observed in esophageal, liver, and stomach cancers. Third, stability was investigated in gallbladder and biliary tract cancers.
Burden of GI cancers among working-age population by age in China between 1990 and 2019
Figure 1 displays the burden of specific GI cancers among working-age people by age from 1990 to 2019 in China. Over the time period, the younger subpopulations were recorded with more incidence, mortality, and DALYs of colon and rectal cancer and liver cancer, while the older participants were observed with more incidence, mortality, and DALYs for esophageal cancer, gallbladder and biliary tract cancer, pancreatic cancer, and stomach cancer. Interestingly, there was an upward trend in the percentage of gallbladder and biliary tract cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colon and rectal cancer, and a downward trend in the percentage of liver cancer and esophageal cancers within each age group of participants over the three decades. Moreover, an upward trend was identified for people aged 15-34 years in the proportion of incidence cases with stomach cancer.
Figure 1 The burden of specific gastrointestinal cancers among working-age people by age from 1990 to 2019 in China.
A: The number of incident cases; B: The number of mortality; C: Disability-adjusted life-years. DALYs: Disability-adjusted life-years.
Figure 2 presents the temporal trends in the crude rates of GI cancer incidence, mortality, and DALYs with age for overall participants. Generally, the percentages of incidence, mortality, and DALYs of GI cancers increase with age from younger to older among working-age individuals in China. Specifically, three trend patterns in the incidence, mortality, and DALYs of GI cancers with age were determined in the study population. First, increasing trends in the CIR, CMR, and CDR were examined for colon and rectal cancer, gallbladder and biliary tract cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Second, declining trends in CDR, CMR, and CIR were observed in both liver and esophageal cancers. Third, for stomach cancer, an increasing trend in the CIR and decreasing trends in the CMR and CDR were identified among the participants (Table 3).
Figure 2 Temporal in crude rates of gastrointestinal cancers’ incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life-years with age among overall participants from 1990 to 2019.
A: Incidence rate; B: Mortality rate; C: Disability-adjusted life-years rate. DALYs: Disability-adjusted life-years.
Table 3 Temporal trends in burden of gastrointestinal cancers by age group among working-age population in China 1990-2019.
Age-group
Gender
Type of GI cancers
CIR
CMR
CDR
AAPC
95%UI
P value
AAPC
95%UI
P value
AAPC
95%UI
P value
15-19 years
Overall
Colon and rectum cancer
0.75
0.51 to 1.00
< 0.001
-1.58
-1.87 to -1.30
< 0.001
-1.55
-1.85 to -1.25
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Liver cancer
-4.06
-4.47 to -3.65
< 0.001
-4.55
-5.17 to -3.92
< 0.001
-4.55
-5.16 to -3.93
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
-0.14
-0.40 to 0.13
0.31
-0.25
-0.51 to 0.01
0.06
-0.26
-0.51 to 0.00
0.051
Stomach cancer
-0.64
-0.88 to -0.41
< 0.001
-2.95
-3.16 to -2.73
< 0.001
-2.92
-3.13 to -2.70
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-1.03
-1.19 to -0.86
< 0.001
-3.05
-3.30 to -2.81
< 0.001
-3.01
-3.26 to -2.77
< 0.001
Female
Colon and rectum cancer
0.58
0.27 to 0.90
< 0.001
-1.85
-2.05 to -1.65
< 0.001
-1.81
-2.13 to -1.49
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Liver cancer
-4.15
-4.45 to -3.86
< 0.001
-4.77
-5.08 to -4.46
< 0.001
-4.77
-5.07 to -4.46
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
-0.62
-0.97 to -0.27
< 0.001
-0.77
-1.11 to -0.44
< 0.001
-0.78
-1.12 to -0.43
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-1.38
-1.84 to -0.91
< 0.001
-3.38
-3.65 to -3.11
< 0.001
-3.35
-3.63 to -3.08
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-1.18
-1.44 to -0.92
< 0.001
-3.19
-3.46 to -2.91
< 0.001
-3.15
-3.43 to -2.87
< 0.001
Male
Colon and rectum cancer
0.94
0.49 to 1.39
< 0.001
-1.48
-1.82 to -1.15
< 0.001
-1.51
-1.95 to -1.07
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Liver cancer
-4.09
-4.57 to -3.62
< 0.001
-4.55
-5.27 to -3.83
< 0.001
-4.55
-5.26 to -3.84
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
0.04
-0.31 to 0.39
0.834
-0.07
-0.43 to 0.29
0.697
-0.08
-0.43 to 0.28
0.665
Stomach cancer
-0.29
-0.54 to -0.04
< 0.05
-2.67
-2.96 to -2.39
< 0.001
-2.64
-2.92 to -2.35
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-1.00
-1.31 to -0.68
< 0.001
-3.03
-3.29 to -2.77
< 0.001
-2.99
-3.25 to -2.73
< 0.001
20-24 years
Overall
Colon and rectum cancer
2.36
1.73 to 2.99
< 0.001
-0.22
-0.57 to 0.13
0.213
-0.15
-0.49 to 0.20
0.403
Esophageal cancer
-0.85
-1.66 to -0.04
0.041
-1.85
-2.47 to -1.21
< 0.001
-1.83
-2.46 to -1.20
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.67
-1.28 to -0.05
0.035
-1.4
-1.99 to -0.82
< 0.001
-1.40
-1.98 to -0.81
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-2.64
-2.95 to -2.32
< 0.001
-3.2
-4.05 to -2.34
< 0.001
-3.20
-4.04 to -2.34
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
0.59
-0.11 to 1.29
0.097
0.48
-0.21 to -1.17
0.17
0.48
-0.20 to 1.17
0.17
Stomach cancer
0.55
-0.26 to 1.36
0.183
-1.62
-2.44 to -0.79
< 0.001
-1.59
-2.40 to -0.76
< 0.001
All GI cancers
0.22
-0.38 to 0.82
0.472
-1.79
-2.19 to -1.39
< 0.001
-1.75
-2.15 to -1.35
< 0.001
Female
Colon and rectum cancer
1.92
1.41 to 2.44
< 0.001
-0.68
-1.54 to 0.19
0.126
-0.60
-1.46 to 0.26
0.173
Esophageal cancer
-1.08
-2.05 to -0.11
0.029
-3.08
-3.77 to -2.38
< 0.001
-3.04
-3.73 to -2.34
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.87
-1.60 to -0.14
0.019
-1.77
-2.58 to -0.95
< 0.001
-1.76
-2.57 to -0.95
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-3.25
-3.51 to -3.00
< 0.001
-3.71
-4.97 to -2.44
< 0.001
-3.71
-4.94 to -2.46
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
-0.15
-0.80 to 0.50
0.653
-0.14
-0.80 to 0.52
0.675
-0.14
-0.79 to 0.52
0.675
Stomach cancer
-0.32
-1.25 to 0.62
0.5
-2.32
-3.25 to -1.38
< 0.001
-2.29
-3.21 to -1.35
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-0.23
-0.63 to 0.17
0.263
-2.37
-3.45 to -1.29
< 0.001
-2.33
-3.40 to -1.25
< 0.001
Male
Colon and rectum cancer
2.56
1.89 to 3.23
< 0.001
-0.02
-0.27 to 0.24
0.884
0.07
-0.19 to 0.32
0.612
Esophageal cancer
-0.79
-1.38 to -0.19
0.01
-1.31
-1.85 to -0.77
< 0.001
-1.31
-1.85 to -0.76
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.56
-1.23 to 0.10
0.097
-1.18
-1.83 to -0.53
< 0.001
-1.18
-1.83 to -0.52
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-2.47
-2.71 to -2.22
< 0.001
-2.99
-3.45 to -2.53
< 0.001
-2.99
-3.45 to -2.54
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
0.99
0.41 to 1.57
< 0.001
0.89
0.32 to 1.46
0.002
0.89
0.32 to 1.46
0.002
Stomach cancer
1.13
0.38 to 1.89
0.003
-1.33
-1.95 to -0.71
< 0.001
-1.30
-1.92 to -0.67
< 0.001
All GI cancers
0.38
-0.15 to 0.91
0.156
-1.63
-2.16 to -1.11
< 0.001
-1.60
-2.12 to -1.07
< 0.001
25-29 years
Overall
Colon and rectum cancer
2.77
2.04 to 3.50
< 0.001
0.30
-0.28 to 0.87
0.31
0.37
-0.19 to 0.95
0.198
Esophageal cancer
-1.12
-2.35 to 0.13
0.078
-2.09
-3.20 to -0.96
< 0.001
-2.07
-3.19 to -0.95
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.53
-1.72 to 0.68
0.387
-1.26
-2.46 to -0.04
0.043
-1.25
-2.45 to -0.04
0.043
Liver cancer
-2.40
-2.70 to -2.09
< 0.001
-2.95
-3.76 to -2.13
< 0.001
-2.94
-3.75 to -2.13
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
0.84
-0.03 to 0.71
0.057
0.74
-0.11 to 1.60
0.089
0.74
-0.11 to 1.60
0.089
Stomach cancer
0.55
-0.31 to 1.41
0.212
-1.75
-2.80 to -0.69
0.001
-1.71
-2.76 to -0.65
0.002
All GI cancers
0.4
-0.32 to 1.12
0.278
-1.54
-2.14 to -0.94
< 0.001
-1.50
-2.10 to -0.90
< 0.001
Female
Colon and rectum cancer
1.55
0.42 to 2.70
0.007
-0.72
-1.68 to 0.25
0.147
-0.65
-1.60 to 0.32
0.187
Esophageal cancer
-1.67
-4.28 to 1.01
0.22
-3.62
-5.88 to -1.31
< 0.001
-3.58
-5.84 to -1.27
0.003
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-1.24
-2.94 to 0.49
0.159
-2.04
-4.36 to 0.33
0.091
-2.03
-4.35 to 0.34
0.093
Liver cancer
-3.76
-4.08 to -3.43
< 0.001
-4.57
-5.94 to -3.18
< 0.001
-4.56
-5.93 to -3.17
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
-0.02
-1.05 to 1.03
0.976
-0.18
-1.20 to 0.86
0.738
-0.17
-1.20 to 0.86
0.738
Stomach cancer
-0.54
-2.30 to 1.26
0.555
-2.59
-4.44 to -0.71
0.007
-2.56
-4.41 to -0.68
0.008
All GI cancers
-0.3
-1.22 to 0.63
0.525
-2.43
-4.15 to -0.67
0.007
-2.38
-4.11 to -0.63
0.007
Male
Colon and rectum cancer
3.52
2.75 to 4.29
< 0.001
0.91
0.27 to 1.55
0.005
0.98
0.35 to 1.62
0.002
Esophageal cancer
-1.00
-1.34 to -0.62
< 0.001
-1.55
-1.97 to -1.13
< 0.001
-1.55
-1.96 to -1.13
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.02
-0.77 to 0.73
0.96
-0.65
-1.37 to 0.07
0.076
-0.65
-1.37 to 0.07
0.078
Liver cancer
-1.99
-2.30 to -1.67
< 0.001
-2.61
-2.61 to -2.82
< 0.001
-2.6
-2.81 to -2.39
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.52
1.08 to 1.96
< 0.001
1.44
1.01 to 1.87
< 0.001
1.44
1.01 to 1.86
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
1.44
0.90 to 2.00
< 0.001
-0.94
-1.35 to -0.52
< 0.001
-0.89
-1.30 to -0.48
< 0.001
All GI cancers
0.85
0.56 to 1.13
< 0.001
-1.18
-1.46 to -0.90
< 0.001
-1.14
-1.41 to -0.86
< 0.001
30-34 years
Overall
Colon and rectum cancer
2.90
2.13 to 3.67
< 0.001
0.43
-0.42 to 1.28
0.324
0.50
-0.34 to 1.35
0.247
Esophageal cancer
-0.95
-1.57 to -0.33
0.003
-1.74
-2.87 to -0.60
0.003
-1.73
-2.86 to -0.59
0.003
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.14
-0.96 to 0.69
0.737
-0.84
-1.64 to -0.04
0.038
-0.84
-1.63 to -0.04
0.041
Liver cancer
-2.54
-2.75 to -2.34
< 0.001
-3.06
-3.76 to -2.36
< 0.001
-3.06
-3.75 to -2.36
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.39
0.86 to 1.92
< 0.001
1.29
0.78 to 1.81
< 0.001
1.29
0.78 to 1.81
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
0.37
-0.57 to 1.32
0.443
-2.02
-3.18 to -0.84
0.001
-1.98
-3.14 to -0.80
0.001
All GI cancers
0.24
-0.46 to 0.94
0.508
-1.71
-2.59 to -0.82
< 0.001
-1.67
-2.56 to -0.78
< 0.001
Female
Colon and rectum cancer
1.36
0.28 to 2.46
0.013
-1.28
-2.63 to 0.08
0.064
-1.21
-2.56 to 0.16
0.082
Esophageal cancer
-1.93
-3.57 to -0.26
0.023
-3.87
-5.22 to -2.51
< 0.001
-3.84
-5.20 to -2.47
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.78
-1.96 to 0.41
0.197
-1.72
-2.84 to -0.58
0.003
-1.71
-2.84 to -0.57
0.003
Liver cancer
-4.05
-4.34 to -3.76
< 0.001
-4.69
-5.73 to -3.63
< 0.001
-4.83
-6.60 to -3.04
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
0.26
-1.31 to 1.85
0.751
0.11
-1.47 to 1.70
0.897
0.11
-1.48 to 1.72
0.896
Stomach cancer
-0.97
-2.63 to 0.73
0.261
-3.18
-4.63 to -1.71
< 0.001
-3.15
-4.60 to -1.67
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-0.65
-1.31 to 0.01
0.052
-2.89
-4.52 to -1.22
0.001
-2.86
-4.26 to -1.44
< 0.001
Male
Colon and rectum cancer
3.88
2.99 to 4.78
< 0.001
1.25
0.63 to 1.87
< 0.001
1.32
0.70 to 1.94
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-0.8
-1.52 to -0.08
0.029
-1.39
-2.39 to -0.38
0.007
-1.39
-2.38 to -0.38
0.007
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
0.33
-0.59 to 1.26
0.485
-0.31
-1.20 to 0.59
0.494
-0.31
-1.20 to 0.59
0.502
Liver cancer
-2.16
-2.39 to -1.94
< 0.001
-2.73
-3.31 to -2.14
< 0.001
-2.72
-3.30 to -2.14
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
2.00
1.38 to 2.62
< 0.001
1.92
1.31 to 2.53
< 0.001
1.92
1.31 to 2.53
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
1.27
0.50 to 2.05
0.001
-1.19
-1.79 to -0.59
< 0.001
-1.15
-1.75 to -0.54
< 0.001
All GI cancers
0.65
0.14 to 1.16
0.013
-1.32
-2.01 to -0.61
< 0.001
-1.28
-1.97 to -0.58
< 0.001
35-39 years
Overall
Colon and rectum cancer
3.27
2.73 to 3.81
< 0.001
0.55
0.25 to 0.85
< 0.001
0.64
0.34 to 0.93
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-1.73
-2.86 to -0.59
0.003
-2.23
-2.57 to -1.88
< 0.001
-2.22
-2.55 to -1.88
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.84
-1.63-0.04
0.041
-0.63
-0.93 to -0.32
< 0.001
-0.62
-0.92 to -0.31
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-3.06
-3.75 to -2.36
< 0.001
-3.57
-3.95 to -3.18
< 0.001
-3.56
-3.94 to -3.18
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.57
1.23 to 1.92
< 0.001
1.47
1.11 to 1.83
< 0.001
1.47
1.12 to 1.83
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-0.19
-0.56 to 0.19
0.332
-2.26
-2.47 to -2.04
< 0.001
-2.22
-2.44 to -2.01
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-1.67
-2.56 to -0.78
< 0.001
-2.1
-2.36 to -1.83
< 0.001
-2.06
-2.42 to -1.69
< 0.001
Female
Colon and rectum cancer
1.54
1.27 to 1.82
< 0.001
-1.12
-1.40 to -0.84
< 0.001
-1.04
-1.32 to -0.76
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-3.84
-5.20 to -2.47
< 0.001
-4.16
-4.58 to -3.74
< 0.001
-4.13
-4.56 to -3.70
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-1.71
-2.84 to -0.57
0.003
-1.67
-2.13 to -1.20
< 0.001
-1.66
-2.14 to -1.18
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-4.83
-6.60 to -3.04
< 0.001
-5.10
-5.41 to -4.79
< 0.001
-5.07
-5.41 to -4.73
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
0.47
0.23 to 0.71
< 0.001
0.32
0.08 to 0.55
0.008
0.32
0.08 to 0.55
0.008
Stomach cancer
-1.51
-1.94 to -1.08
< 0.001
-3.37
-3.80 to -2.93
< 0.001
-3.34
-3.79 to -2.89
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-2.86
-4.26 to -1.44
< 0.001
-3.07
-3.35 to -2.78
< 0.001
-3.03
-3.31 to -2.74
< 0.001
Male
Colon and rectum cancer
4.29
3.72 to 4.87
< 0.001
1.42
0.83 to 2.01
< 0.001
1.51
0.93 to 2.10
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-1.39
-2.38 to -0.38
0.007
-1.84
-2.29 to -1.39
< 0.001
-1.84
-2.28 to -1.39
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.31
-1.20 to 0.59
0.502
-0.01
-0.41 to 0.40
0.98
0.00
-0.40 to 0.41
0.992
Liver cancer
-2.72
-3.30 to -2.14
< 0.001
-3.26
-3.80 to -2.70
< 0.001
-3.25
-3.80 to -2.70
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.98
1.42 to 2.55
< 0.001
1.89
1.33 to 2.45
< 0.001
1.89
1.33 to 2.45
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
0.61
0.12 to 1.09
0.014
-1.54
-1.94 to -1.14
< 0.001
-1.51
-1.91 to -1.11
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-1.28
-1.97 to -0.58
< 0.001
-1.73
-2.08 to -1.39
< 0.001
-1.70
-2.04 to -1.35
< 0.001
40-44 years
Overall
Colon and rectum cancer
3.39
3.06 to 3.72
< 0.001
0.61
0.24 to 0.97
0.001
0.70
0.34 to 1.06
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-2.47
-2.89 to -2.05
< 0.001
-3.07
-3.47 to -2.68
< 0.001
-3.06
-3.46 to -2.66
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
0.52
0.19 to 0.85
0.002
-0.21
-0.48 to 0.06
0.122
-0.21
-0.48 to 0.07
0.141
Liver cancer
-2.98
-3.23 to -2.74
< 0.001
-3.66
-4.08 to -3.24
< 0.001
-3.65
-4.07 to -3.23
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
2.15
1.91 to 2.40
< 0.001
2.05
1.81 to 2.29
< 0.001
2.05
1.81 to 2.29
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-0.42
-0.82 to -0.01
0.042
-2.59
-2.97 to -2.21
< 0.001
-2.56
-2.94 to -2.18
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-0.47
-0.94 to 0.01
0.057
-2.37
-2.71 to -2.03
< 0.001
-2.33
-2.68 to -1.98
< 0.001
Female
Colon and rectum cancer
1.66
1.30 to 2.02
< 0.001
-1.02
-1.31 to -0.72
< 0.001
-0.93
-1.23 to -0.63
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-3.26
-3.66 to -2.86
< 0.001
-5.02
-5.56 to -4.49
< 0.001
-5.01
-5.45 to -4.56
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.45
-0.60 to -0.30
< 0.001
-1.34
-1.55 to -1.13
< 0.001
-1.33
-1.55 to -1.12
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-4.54
-4.81 to -4.26
< 0.001
-5.20
-5.56 to -4.84
< 0.001
-5.20
-5.56 to -4.84
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.05
0.56 to 1.55
< 0.001
0.89
0.38 to 1.41
0.001
0.89
0.38 to 1.40
0.001
Stomach cancer
-1.63
-1.91 to -1.35
< 0.001
-3.63
-3.89 to -3.37
< 0.001
-3.61
-3.86 to -3.35
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-1.12
-1.34 to -0.89
< 0.001
-3.26
-3.75 to -2.77
< 0.001
-3.22
-3.70 to -2.73
< 0.001
Male
Colon and rectum cancer
4.46
4.03 to 4.88
< 0.001
1.63
1.15 to 2.11
< 0.001
1.72
1.25 to 2.20
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-2.24
-2.70 to -1.77
< 0.001
-2.71
-3.15 to -2.26
< 0.001
-2.70
-3.14 to -2.25
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
1.15
0.94 to 1.36
< 0.001
0.53
0.34 to 0.73
< 0.001
0.54
0.35 to 0.77
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-2.62
-2.89 to -2.35
< 0.001
-3.26
-3.43 to -2.79
< 0.001
-3.26
-3.72 to -2.78
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
2.63
2.34 to 2.91
< 0.001
2.53
2.25 to 2.82
< 0.001
2.54
2.25 to 2.82
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
0.07
-0.30 to 0.44
0.702
-2.04
-2.51 to -1.57
< 0.001
-2.01
-2.48 to -1.53
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-0.18
-0.68 to 0.33
0.488
-2.03
-2.40 to -1.67
< 0.001
-2.00
-2.37 to -1.63
< 0.001
45-49 years
Overall
Colon and rectum cancer
2.96
2.43 to 3.49
< 0.001
0.54
0.14 to 0.94
0.008
0.63
0.23 to 1.02
0.002
Esophageal cancer
-2.14
-2.91 to -1.37
< 0.001
-2.82
-3.50 to -2.13
< 0.001
-2.81
-3.49 to -2.12
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
0.10
-0.25 to 0.45
0.591
-0.25
-0.60 to 0.11
0.174
-0.24
-0.60 to 0.11
0.182
Liver cancer
-3.43
-3.88 to -2.97
< 0.001
-3.93
-4.77 to -3.08
< 0.001
-3.92
-4.76 to -3.08
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.61
1.34 to 1.88
< 0.001
1.54
1.27 to 1.82
< 0.001
1.55
1.27 to 1.82
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-1.04
-1.61 to -0.46
< 0.001
-2.87
-3.62 to -2.11
< 0.001
-2.84
-3.59 to -2.08
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-0.93
-1.22 to -0.65
< 0.001
-2.51
-2.96 to -2.05
< 0.001
-2.47
-2.93 to -2.02
< 0.001
Female
Colon and rectum cancer
1.76
1.01 to 2.51
< 0.001
-0.75
-1.40 to -0.09
0.025
-0.66
-1.32 to -0.01
0.047
Esophageal cancer
-3.07
-3.64 to -2.50
< 0.001
-4.72
-5.18 to -4.26
< 0.001
-4.69
-5.15 to -4.22
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.58
-1.48 to 0.33
0.211
-1.01
-1.92 to -0.10
0.03
-1.01
-1.92 to -0.09
< 0.05
Liver cancer
-4.72
-4.92 to -4.51
< 0.001
-5.02
-6.14 to -3.89
< 0.001
-5.02
-6.13 to -3.90
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
0.88
0.06 to 1.71
0.035
0.79
-0.04 to 1.61
0.061
0.79
-0.04 to 1.62
0.061
Stomach cancer
-1.98
-3.07 to -0.89
< 0.001
-3.56
-4.61 to -2.50
< 0.001
-3.53
-4.59 to -2.47
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-1.4
-2.26 to -0.54
0.001
-3.04
-3.76 to -2.32
< 0.001
-3.00
-3.72 to -2.28
< 0.001
Male
Colon and rectum cancer
3.66
2.87 to 4.45
< 0.001
1.14
0.62 to 1.67
< 0.001
1.23
0.71 to 1.75
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-1.91
-2.30 to -1.51
< 0.001
-2.39
-2.80 to -1.97
< 0.001
-2.38
-2.79 to -1.97
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
0.6
0.30 to 0.89
< 0.001
0.31
0.02 to 0.61
0.037
0.32
0.02 to 0.61
0.035
Liver cancer
-3.14
-3.56 to -2.71
< 0.001
-3.63
-4.16 to -3.09
< 0.001
-3.62
-4.15 to -3.09
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
2.06
1.52 to 2.59
< 0.001
1.91
1.32 to 2.52
< 0.001
1.92
1.32 to 2.52
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-0.69
-1.33 to -0.04
0.038
-2.46
-3.11 to -1.81
< 0.001
-2.43
-3.08 to -1.78
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-0.7
-1.03 to -0.36
< 0.001
-2.26
-2.73 to -1.79
< 0.001
-2.23
-2.70 to -1.76
< 0.001
50-54 years
Overall
Colon and rectum cancer
2.92
2.65 to 3.20
< 0.001
0.45
0.22 to 0.67
< 0.001
0.54
0.32 to 0.75
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-2.18
-2.47 to -1.88
< 0.001
-2.61
-2.90 to -2.32
< 0.001
-2.60
-2.89 to -2.31
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
0.21
-0.04 to 0.45
0.094
-0.04
-0.28 to 0.20
0.734
-0.04
-0.27 to 0.20
0.752
Liver cancer
-3.70
-4.01 to -3.39
< 0.001
-4.10
-4.38 to -3.82
< 0.001
-4.10
-4.38 to -3.82
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.03
0.71 to 1.36
< 0.001
0.98
0.66 to 1.30
< 0.001
0.98
0.67 to 1.30
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-1.40
-1.74 to -1.09
< 0.001
-2.92
-3.20 to -2.64
< 0.001
-2.89
-3.17 to -2.61
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-1.07
-1.29 to -0.86
< 0.001
-2.54
-2.73 to -2.35
< 0.001
-2.51
-2.70 to -2.32
< 0.001
Female
Colon and rectum cancer
1.48
1.22 to 1.73
< 0.001
-1.01
-1.45 to -0.58
< 0.001
-0.92
-1.33 to -0.50
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-3.93
-4.36 to -3.49
< 0.001
-5.18
-5.72 to -4.63
< 0.001
-5.15
-5.70 to -4.60
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.60
-1.27 to 0.08
0.084
-0.92
-1.57 to -0.25
0.007
-0.91
-1.57 to -0.25
0.007
Liver cancer
-4.68
-4.87 to -4.48
< 0.001
-5.00
-5.44 to -4.56
< 0.001
-5.00
-5.42 to -4.57
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
0.63
0.23 to 1.04
0.002
0.57
0.16 to 0.98
0.006
0.57
0.18 to 0.97
0.005
Stomach cancer
-2.39
-2.67 to -2.10
< 0.001
-3.71
-3.96 to -3.46
< 0.001
-3.69
-3.93 to -3.45
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-1.58
-1.83 to -1.32
< 0.001
-3.21
-3.56 to -2.87
< 0.001
-3.18
-3.51 to -2.85
< 0.001
Male
Colon and rectum cancer
3.93
3.65 to 4.21
< 0.001
1.47
1.21 to 1.73
< 0.001
1.52
1.14 to 1.89
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-1.61
-1.85 to -1.36
< 0.001
-1.99
-2.30 to -1.69
< 0.001
-1.99
-2.29 to -1.68
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
0.82
0.37 to 1.27
< 0.001
0.65
0.44 to 0.86
< 0.001
0.65
0.45 to 0.86
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-3.34
-3.65 to -3.02
< 0.001
-3.74
-4.05 to -3.43
< 0.001
-3.74
-4.04 to -3.43
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.36
0.93 to 1.79
< 0.001
1.31
0.88 to 1.75
< 0.001
1.31
0.88 to 1.74
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-0.94
-1.31 to -0.57
< 0.001
-2.55
-2.81 to -2.28
< 0.001
-2.52
-2.79 to -2.25
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-0.78
-0.97 to -0.58
< 0.001
-2.21
-2.44 to -1.97
< 0.001
-2.18
-2.41 to -1.95
< 0.001
55-59years
Overall
Colon and rectum cancer
2.81
2.14 to 3.49
< 0.001
0.37
-0.16 to 0.89
0.169
0.46
-0.06 to 0.98
0.081
Esophageal cancer
-2.27
-2.73 to -1.80
< 0.001
-2.65
-3.11 to -2.19
< 0.001
-2.65
-3.11 to -2.18
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
0.391
-0.22 to 1.01
0.209
0.09
-0.54 to 0.71
0.788
0.08
-0.55 to 0.72
0.797
Liver cancer
-3.59
-3.81 to -3.38
< 0.001
-3.92
-4.47 to -3.37
< 0.001
-3.92
-4.46 to -3.37
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.13
0.84 to 1.41
< 0.001
1.08
0.80 to 1.36
< 0.001
1.08
0.79 to 1.36
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-1.50
-2.06 to -1.94
< 0.001
-2.89
-3.45 to -2.33
< 0.001
-2.87
-3.43 to -2.31
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-1.00
-1.26 to -0.75
< 0.001
-2.37
-2.68 to -2.07
< 0.001
-2.34
-2.65 to -2.04
< 0.001
Female
Colon and rectum cancer
1.74
0.72 to 2.78
< 0.001
-0.56
-1.25 to 0.12
0.108
-0.47
-1.15 to 0.21
0.176
Esophageal cancer
-4.12
-4.71 to -3.52
< 0.001
-4.99
-5.71 to -4.26
< 0.001
-4.97
-5.70 to -4.24
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
-0.43
-1.58 to 0.74
0.471
-0.79
-1.96 to 0.40
0.193
-0.79
-1.97 to 0.41
0.197
Liver cancer
-4.47
-4.63 to -4.30
< 0.001
-4.71
-5.23 to -4.18
< 0.001
-4.71
-5.23 to -4.18
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
0.91
0.30 to 1.52
< 0.001
0.85
0.24 to 1.47
0.006
0.85
0.23 to 1.47
0.007
Stomach cancer
-2.43
-3.22 to -1.63
< 0.001
-3.59
-4.41 to -2.76
< 0.001
-3.57
-4.40 to -2.74
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-1.54
-2.14 to -0.94
< 0.001
-3.05
-3.59 to -2.51
< 0.001
-3.01
-3.55 to -2.47
< 0.001
Male
Colon and rectum cancer
3.64
3.31 to 3.97
< 0.001
1.25
0.84 to 1.66
< 0.001
1.33
0.77 to 1.89
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-1.68
-2.00 to -1.36
< 0.001
-1.97
-2.30 to -1.65
< 0.001
-1.97
-2.30 to -1.64
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
1.09
0.88 to 1.29
< 0.001
0.76
0.42 to 1.09
< 0.001
0.75
0.41 to 1.09
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-3.25
-3.50 to -3.00
< 0.001
-3.60
-4.17 to -3.03
< 0.001
-3.6
-4.16 to -3.04
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.37
1.09 to 1.65
< 0.001
1.33
1.05 to 1.61
< 0.001
1.33
1.05 to 1.61
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-1.00
-1.28 to -0.73
< 0.001
-2.55
-2.84 to -2.26
< 0.001
-2.53
-2.82 to -2.23
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-0.76
-1.14 to -0.38
< 0.001
-2.04
-2.29 to -1.79
< 0.001
-2.01
-2.26 to -1.76
< 0.001
60-64 years
Overall
Colon and rectum cancer
3.02
2.65 to 3.40
< 0.001
0.66
0.27 to 1.06
0.001
0.77
0.38 to 1.15
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-1.90
-2.10 to -1.70
< 0.001
-2.28
-2.48 to -2.09
< 0.001
-2.28
-2.47 to -2.08
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
0.61
0.21 to 1.01
0.003
0.37
0.15 to 0.59
0.001
0.37
0.14 to 0.59
0.001
Liver cancer
-3.27
-3.50 to -3.04
< 0.001
-3.65
-4.13 to -3.16
< 0.001
-3.65
-4.13 to -3.16
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.69
1.55 to 1.83
< 0.001
1.65
1.48 to 1.82
< 0.001
1.64
1.48 to 1.81
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-1.07
-1.39 to -0.74
< 0.001
-2.43
-2.67 to -2.19
< 0.001
-2.41
-2.64 to -2.17
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-0.67
-0.90 to -0.43
< 0.001
-1.97
-2.14 to -1.80
< 0.001
-1.93
-2.10 to -1.76
< 0.001
Female
Colon and rectum cancer
2.09
1.45 to 2.74
< 0.001
-0.41
-0.85 to 0.03
0.07
-0.31
-0.75 to 0.13
0.167
Esophageal cancer
-3.61
-4.18 to -3.04
< 0.001
-4.48
-5.06 to -3.89
< 0.001
-4.46
-5.05 to -3.87
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
0.10
-0.40 to 0.60
0.694
-0.23
-0.71 to 0.26
0.359
-0.23
-0.71 to 0.26
0.363
Liver cancer
-3.99
-4.15 to -3.83
< 0.001
-4.23
-4.47 to -3.98
< 0.001
-4.23
-4.47 to -3.98
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.4
1.19 to 1.61
< 0.001
1.35
1.11 to 1.59
< 0.001
1.33
1.13 to 1.53
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-2.21
-2.70 to -1.71
< 0.001
-3.30
-3.78 to -2.82
< 0.001
-3.29
-3.77 to -2.81
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-1.32
-1.61 to -1.02
< 0.001
-2.67
-3.00 to -2.34
< 0.001
-2.63
-2.96 to -2.31
< 0.001
Male
Colon and rectum cancer
3.77
3.43 to 4.12
< 0.001
1.43
1.09 to 1.77
< 0.001
1.53
1.20 to 1.86
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-1.26
-1.41 to -1.10
< 0.001
-1.55
-1.72 to -1.39
< 0.001
-1.57
-1.70 to -1.44
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
1.14
0.86 to 1.43
< 0.001
0.90
0.60 to 1.19
< 0.001
0.90
0.60 to 1.19
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-2.94
-3.32 to -2.56
< 0.001
-3.35
-4.02 to -2.68
< 0.001
-3.35
-4.01 to -2.68
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
1.93
1.74 to 2.12
< 0.001
1.88
1.69 to 2.07
< 0.001
1.88
1.69 to 2.07
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-0.58
-0.97 to -0.19
0.004
-2.08
-2.31 to -1.85
< 0.001
-1.98
-2.24 to -1.73
< 0.001
All GI cancers
-0.32
-0.56 to -0.09
0.006
-1.62
-1.82 to -1.43
< 0.001
-1.59
-1.77 to -1.40
< 0.001
15-64 years
Overall
Colon and rectum cancer
0.77
0.38 to 1.15
< 0.001
2.11
2.00 to 2.23
< 0.001
1.98
1.89 to 2.07
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-0.23
-0.39 to -0.07
0.004
-0.64
-0.83 to -0.46
< 0.001
-0.72
-0.88 to -0.56
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
2.05
1.85 to 2.26
< 0.001
1.79
1.51 to 2.07
< 0.001
1.59
1.26 to 1.93
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-1.82
-2.09 to -1.56
< 0.001
-2.24
-2.75 to -1.72
< 0.001
-2.38
-2.84 to -1.91
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
3.18
2.98 to 3.37
< 0.001
3.15
2.95 to 3.35
< 0.001
3.02
2.80 to 3.24
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
0.63
0.46 to 0.80
< 0.001
-0.93
-1.13 to -0.73
< 0.001
-1.03
-1.15 to -0.90
< 0.001
All GI cancers
0.88
0.72 to 1.03
< 0.001
-0.57
-0.73 to -0.41
< 0.001
-0.69
-0.83 to -0.56
< 0.001
Female
Colon and rectum cancer
-0.31
-0.75 to 0.13
0.167
0.96
0.84 to 1.08
< 0.001
0.80
0.70 to 0.91
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
-1.78
-2.10 to -1.46
< 0.001
-2.84
-3.19 to -2.49
< 0.001
-2.89
-3.19 to -2.58
< 0.001
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
1.56
1.21 to 1.91
< 0.001
1.22
0.87 to 1.57
< 0.001
1.01
0.87 to 1.14
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-2.77
-3.12 to -2.43
< 0.001
-3.04
-3.43 to -2.65
< 0.001
-3.24
-3.61 to -2.86
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
2.84
2.67 to 3.00
< 0.001
2.80
2.63 to 2.96
< 0.001
2.61
2.40 to 2.83
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
-0.42
-0.52 to -0.32
< 0.001
-1.79
-1.88 to -1.70
< 0.001
-1.90
-2.15 to -1.65
< 0.001
All GI cancers
0.38
0.15 to 0.60
0.001
-1.23
-1.31 to -1.15
< 0.001
-1.37
-1.48 to -1.25
< 0.001
Male
Colon and rectum cancer
1.53
1.20 to 1.86
< 0.001
2.87
2.72 to 3.01
< 0.001
2.74
2.59 to 2.89
< 0.001
Esophageal cancer
0.21
0.03 to 0.39
0.023
-0.15
-0.36 to -0.06
0.174
-0.23
-0.43 to -0.03
0.022
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
2.51
2.31 to 2.72
< 0.001
2.28
2.06 to 2.51
< 0.001
2.06
1.78 to 2.34
< 0.001
Liver cancer
-1.54
-1.85 to -1.23
< 0.001
-2.00
-2.43 to -1.56
< 0.001
-2.11
-2.50 to -1.72
< 0.001
Pancreatic cancer
3.40
3.17 to 3.62
< 0.001
3.37
3.15 to 3.59
< 0.001
3.26
3.03 to 3.49
< 0.001
Stomach cancer
1.06
0.85 to 1.28
< 0.001
-0.57
-0.80 to -0.33
< 0.001
-0.62
-0.84 to -0.40
< 0.001
All GI cancers
1.12
0.96 to 1.28
< 0.001
-0.33
-0.49 to -0.17
< 0.001
-0.41
-0.57 to -0.25
< 0.001
In addition to the trends in CIR, CMR, and CDR with age analyzed in all participants, the trends were also explored for participants stratified by age (Table 3). For individuals aged 15-29 years, an increasing trend was observed only in the CIR of colon and rectal cancers. Among people aged 35-54 years, increasing trends were observed in the CIR, CMR, and CDR of pancreatic and colorectal cancers. Within participants aged 60 + years, CIR, CMR and CDR remained at an increasing trend in pancreatic cancer, gallbladder and biliary tract cancer, and colon and rectum cancer. Additionally, in the other age groups, increasing trends in CIR, CMR, and CDR were observed for pancreatic cancer, whereas only CIR increased consistently for colon and rectal cancers over the decades.
Burden of GI cancers among working-age population by gender in China between 1990 and 2019
In 2019, the incidence, mortality, DALYs, CIR, CMR, and CDR of each type of GI cancer were higher in men than in women in all age groups (Figure 3). Moreover, for GI cancers, the male-to-female ratios of the age-standardized incidence, mortality, DALYs, CIR, CMR, and CDR were higher in 2019 than in 1990 (Table 4). From 1990 to 2019, for both men and women, a decreasing trend was observed in the ASIR, ASMR, and ASDR of esophageal, liver, and stomach cancers, whereas an increasing trend was observed for the ASIR, ASMR, and ASDR of pancreatic cancer. However, opposite trends were identified for men and women in either the ASMR or ASDR of colon and rectal cancer, and gallbladder and biliary tract cancer. Interestingly, the differences in the ASIR, ASMR, and ASDR of GI cancers between men and women increased from 1990 to 2019, suggesting a growing disparity in the GI cancer burden between sexes (Table 2).
Figure 3 The burden of gastrointestinal cancers among working-age population by sex between 1990 and 2019 in China.
A: Incident cases in 1990; B: Incident cases in 2019; C: Incidence rate in 1990; D: Incidence rate in 2019; E: Mortality cases in 1990; F: Mortality cases in 2019; G: Mortality rate in 1990; H: Mortality rate in 2019; I: Disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 1990; J: DALYs in 2019; K: DALYs rate in 1990; L: DALYs rate in 2019. DALYs: Disability-adjusted life-years.
Table 4 Male-to-female ratio in burden of the specific gastrointestinal cancers among working-age population in China between 1990 and 2019.
Incident cases
ASIR
Mortality
ASMR
DALYs
ASDR
Type of GI cancers
1990
2019
1990
2019
1990
2019
1990
2019
1990
2019
1990
2019
Colon and rectum cancer
1.25
2.06
1.14
2.04
1.25
2.08
1.14
2.05
1.26
2.12
1.15
2.09
Esophageal cancer
2.84
4.90
2.60
4.78
2.97
6.38
2.72
6.24
3.09
6.55
2.82
6.4
Gallbladder and biliary tract cancer
1.01
1.30
0.92
1.28
1.01
1.32
0.92
1.31
1.04
1.38
0.94
1.38
Liver cancer
3.34
4.59
3.03
4.57
3.33
4.41
3.02
4.4
3.44
4.68
3.13
4.67
Pancreatic cancer
1.71
1.96
1.56
1.95
1.71
1.97
1.56
1.97
1.74
2.05
1.59
2.05
Stomach cancer
2.17
3.26
2.03
3.13
2.15
3.01
2.01
2.91
2.05
2.94
1.93
2.81
All GI cancers
2.36
2.86
2.18
2.19
2.44
3.11
2.24
3.05
2.45
3.14
2.25
3.07
DISCUSSION
Based on the GBD 2019 data, using incidence cases, mortality cases, DALYS, ASIR, ASMR, and ASDR as single indicators of disease burden, this study aimed to estimate the burden of GI cancers among the working-age population in 1990 and 2019 and then to examine the trends in GI cancers over three decades in China. From 1990 to 2019, a decreasing trend was observed in the ASIR, ASMR, and ASDR of GI cancers, while an increasing trend was identified in the CIR of GI cancers among the working-age population in the recent period to 2016-2019 in China. Moreover, substantial discrepancies in the burden of GI cancers were observed between sexes, age groups, and cancer types.
A significant decline was identified in the ASIR, ASMR, and ASDR of GI cancers in the working-age population in China between 1990 and 2019. This finding is consistent with that reported in a previous study on the GI cancer burden among the general population in China[10]. Such a declining trend in the burden of GI cancers may be caused mainly by transitions in the risk factors of GI cancers, advances in medical technology, and population-based cancer prevention policies adopted by the Chinese government over the time period[21-24]. Specifically, the risk factors of GI cancers, such as tobacco use, unhealthy eating habits, and over-intake of sodium, have been favorably changing among Chinese people over time[21]. In addition, the development of new drugs, widespread implementation of early screening programs, and improvement of diagnostic and treatment approaches are largely responsible for the changes in trends of GI cancer burden observed in this study[22-24]. Additionally, the “Healthy China Action Plan (2019-2030)” and some population-based GI cancer prevention-oriented policies, e.g., the “The technical solutions for screening and early diagnosis and treatment of upper gastrointestinal cancer”, can provide easily-accessible medical service regarding GI cancers for people in China[25].
Interestingly, irrespective of the consistency in the trend of the burden of GI cancers among working-age population and the general population in China, it is not in line with that for the overall global population[4]. This may be due to that the predominant GI cancer types differ between China and other countries[9]. Stomach and liver cancers have remained the most burdensome types of GI cancers in Chinese people over the past 30 years[9]. In contrast, during the same period, the proportion of stomach cancer to all GI cancers continued to decline globally, while colon and rectal cancers have emerged as the most prevalent type of GI cancer worldwide[9].
Moreover, the burden patterns of the six specific GI cancers were not consistent with each other among the working-age population in China. Over the past three decades, the ASIR, ASMR, and ASDR have been increasing for colon/rectum cancer and pancreatic cancer, but decreasing for esophageal cancer, liver cancer, and stomach cancer, and were relatively stable for gallbladder and biliary tract cancer among the participants in this study. This can be explained in three ways. First, with continuous economic development since the late 1970s, lifestyle- and behavior-related risk factors of colon/rectal cancer and pancreatic cancer have been becoming prevalent among Chinese people[21,26], which may applaud the increasing trends in the burden of these two specific GI cancers in China. Second, early screening of esophageal and stomach cancers through endoscopic inspection has been easily accessible for local residents, even at community health service centers in China, resulting in early identification of and timely treatment for potential patients[27]. This may, at least partially, explain the declining trend in the burden of these two cancers. Third, the free and compulsory use of the hepatitis B vaccine since the 1980s has dramatically reduced the incidence of hepatitis B among Chinese people and consequently maintained the prevalence of the disease at a very low level in China[28], which may explain the declining trend in liver cancer in China.
In this study, a significant disparity in the burden of GI cancers was examined between men and women in the Chinese working population. A heavier burden of GI cancers was consistently observed in men than in women, irrespective of the cancer type. Furthermore, the difference in GI cancer burden between men and women became increasingly substantial over time. This may be explained by the fact that GI cancer-related risk factors (including high social stress, occupational risk, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption) are more prevalent in working-age men than in women in China[29-31].
Additionally, inequality regarding the burden of GI cancer was identified in participants within different age groups over the past 30 years. Compared to the percentages of incidence, mortality, and DALYs in older participants, each of them was higher among their younger counterparts for colon/rectum cancer and liver cancer but lower for esophageal cancer, gallbladder and biliary tract cancer, pancreatic cancer, and stomach cancer. This disparity may be due to differences in the prevalence of lifestyle- and behavior-related risk factors between younger and older people in China over the past decades[21,32]. Excess body weight and lack of physical activity have become increasingly prevalent among younger people[21], whereas alcohol consumption and tobacco use are more common among older residents[32]. Therefore, it shall be a priority to reinforce public health policies focusing on lifestyle and behavioral modifications, including healthy eating, reducing tobacco and alcohol use, and encouraging sufficient physical activity for effective GI cancer prevention, as these may mitigate the risk factors associated with GI cancers.
This study has important public health implications for population-based precision prevention of GI cancers among working-age individuals in China. Although a declining trend was observed in the burden of GI cancers, the total burden of GI cancers remained heavy, and an age and sex disparity in the burden of GI cancers existed in the working-age population from 1990 to 1999 in China. Considering that people at working age are the workforce for a community and play key roles in their families, the loss of or reduction in labor capacity will lead to undesired consequences for the community and, particularly, their own families. Thus, it is critically important to initiate community-based precision intervention programs on GI cancers through age-, sex-, and type-specific, effective, and accessible approaches among the working-age population in China.
As the first study to assess the burden of GI cancers in the working population in China and worldwide, this study has several strengths. First, the participants were the national-level working-age population, who were the social workforce with a strong economic impact on society and, especially, their families. Their health conditions are vital for society and their families. Second, the burdens of all types of GI cancer were analyzed in total and separately over the past three decades. Third, trends in the burden of GI cancer from 1990 to 2019 were examined for the participants, in addition to the burden in 1990 and 2019. Finally, the age and sex disparities in the burden of GI cancer were assessed.
However, some limitations are also worth being mentioned. First, data used in this study were derived from GBD 2019 study, thus the bias in GBD study on estimating the incidence, mortality and DALYs of selected diseases also existed for our study[33]. Second, because province/municipality- and urban-rural level data were not available from the GBD study, only the national-level burdens of GI cancer were assessed. Third, the screening and diagnostic technology of GI cancers was always under the way of evolution over the three decades, which might have resulted in the identification probability increasing over time.
CONCLUSION
The total burden of GI cancers remained heavy among the working-age population in China from 1999 to 2019, although declining trends in the burden of GI cancers were observed over the three decades. Substantial disparities in the burden of GI cancers exist between genders, age groups, and cancer types. From a public health perspective, this study has important implications in that population-based precision prevention strategies are needed to tackle GI cancers among working-age individuals with consideration of age, sex, and cancer type disparity in China.
Footnotes
Provenance and peer review: Unsolicited article; Externally peer reviewed.
Peer-review model: Single blind
Specialty type: Oncology
Country of origin: China
Peer-review report’s classification
Scientific Quality: Grade C
Novelty: Grade B
Creativity or Innovation: Grade B
Scientific Significance: Grade B
P-Reviewer: Cheng TH S-Editor: Wang JJ L-Editor: A P-Editor: Zhao S
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