title: The incidence and histo-pathological characteristics of colorectal cancer in a population based cancer registry in Zimbabwe.
abstract: Data on colorectal cancer (CRC) in sub-Saharan Africa is mainly based on hospital series which suggest low incidence and frequent early onset cancers. This study characterises colorectal cancer in a population-based cancer registry in Zimbabwe.
  
  
  
  Cases of CRC recorded by the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry between 2003 and 2012 were analysed. Demographic and pathological characteristics were compared according to ethnicity and age. Trends in age standardised incidence rates (ASR) were determined.
  
  
  
  There were 886 and 216 cases of CRC among black Africans and Caucasians respectively, and 26% of the black Africans were younger than 40 years. Signet ring cell carcinomas were more common among black Africans compared to Caucasians (4% vs 1%, p=0.027). ASR increased by 1.9%/year and 3.9%/year among black African males and females respectively.
  
  
  
  CRC incidence is rising among black Africans and has unique demographic and pathological characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa. Electronic address: lkatsidzira@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Leolin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Katsidzira
authors.affiliation: Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry, P.O. Box A449, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chokunonga
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Innocent T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Gangaidzo
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Simbarashe
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rusakaniko
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe; Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry, P.O. Box A449, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borok
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Health Research, Cnr Mazowe/Josiah Tongogara street, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Zvifadzo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Matsena-Zingoni
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Sandie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.affiliation: MRC/UCT Human Genetics Research Unit, Division of Human Genetics, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Raj
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramesar
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Jonathan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Matenga
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018279:Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Africa south of the Sahara; Colorectal neoplasms; Incidence; Mucinous adenocarcinoma; Signet ring cell carcinoma; Zimbabwe