Age-specific prevalence of colorectal cancer and advanced neoplasm was higher among men than among women, and was increased in later birth cohorts compared with earlier birth cohorts.

Researchers conducted a study to estimate age and cohort effects in advanced colorectal neoplasms among 2,185,153 participants in the German screening colonoscopy program between 2003 and 2007. Participants were aged 55 to 75 years.

Overall, 0.8% of participants had colorectal cancer and 7% had any advanced neoplasm. Prevalence of colorectal cancer and advanced neoplasm demonstrated a moderate increase with age and was higher in men, at all ages, according to the researchers.

Prevalence was twofold higher for men than women at each age. There was an 8-year to 9-year difference in prevalence of colorectal cancer between men and women, with men reaching prevalence at younger ages.

For any advanced neoplasm, prevalence was reached by men when aged 55 years vs. 70 years for women. Prevalence for men aged 60 and 65 years was not reached by women, even when aged 75 years.

In a cross-sectional analysis, risk advancement periods for men vs. women were 8.4 years (95% CI, 7.7-9.0) for colorectal cancer and 16.1 years (95% CI, 15.8-16.5) for any advanced neoplasm. After controlling for birth cohort effects, the rate was 3.4 years (95% CI, 2.6-4.3) for colorectal cancer and 6.9 years (95% CI, 6.4-7.4) for any advanced neoplasm.

For later birth cohorts vs. earlier birth cohorts, the rates were 5.9 years per decade of birth for colorectal cancer and 5.7 years for any advanced neoplasm.

Brenner H. Ann Intern Med. 2010;152:697-703.

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