Mortality from colorectal cancer in Andalusia: findings in favor of mass screening.

OBJECTIVE To describe mortality from colorectal cancer (CRC) in Andalusia from 1975 to 2001 in order to facilitate decision-making on mass screening. DESIGN A population-based descriptive study. Considering mortality data from CRC and the resident population of Andalusia during the studied period, the main indicators of mortality by age and sex groups were calculated, and trends were estimated. RESULTS There have been annual increases in mortality of 1.99% in men and 0.15% in women during the study period. In men, this is mainly due to increased mortality in those older than 65 years, and in women in those in the 35- to 64-year-old age group. In the younger age groups of both sexes, there has been a decline in mortality. The trend of mortality from colon cancer was positive in both men and women, but from rectal cancer was negative in women and slightly positive in men. CONCLUSIONS Increased mortality from CRC in Andalusia may justify mass screening measures to potentially change mortality evolution, as has occurred in other countries.