A Rising Trend in Mortality from Colorectal and Anal Cancers in Brazil, Between the Years of 2013 and 2024
Pedro Melo, Rafael Amengual Duarte, Rafael Dutra Seadi, Manoela Ziulkoski ApratoPURPOSE
To describe the trend in mortality from malignant neoplasms of the colon, rectum, and anus in Brazil between 2013 and 2024.
METHODS
We conducted a descriptive analysis of deaths registered in the Mortality Information System (SIM/DATASUS) for malignant neoplasms of the colon, rectum, and anus in Brazil from 2013 to 2024. Annual death counts were extracted and summarized to assess temporal variation.
RESULTS
A total of 239,978 deaths were recorded during the study period. Annual mortality increased from 15,415 deaths in 2013 to 26,180 in 2024, corresponding to an absolute increase of 10,765 deaths and a relative growth of 69.8%. The median annual number of deaths was 19,925.5, with a mean of 19,998.2. The largest year-to-year increase occurred between 2018 and 2019, when deaths rose from 19,606 to 20,578 (+4.9%), while the only decline was observed between 2019 and 2020, from 20,578 to 20,245 (–1.6%). From 2020 onward, mortality resumed an upward trajectory, reaching 24,773 in 2023 and 26,180 in 2024.
CONCLUSION
Mortality from colon, rectal, and anal cancers increased in Brazil over the study period. However, this rise should not be interpreted solely as a worsening of biological lethality, since it may also reflect improved access to diagnosis, greater screening activity, earlier detection, and better linkage to treatment services. These findings reinforce the importance of strengthening organized screening, timely diagnosis, and equitable oncologic care.