Years of life lost due to colorectal cancer in Iran

Aim: The aim of this study was to provide quantitative estimations of the burden of death in term of years of life lost (YLL) due to colorectal cancer (CRC) in Iran and a temporal trend analysis.Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. YLL is a tool for quantifying the burden of disease according to mortality rates. The aim of this study was to provide quantitative estimations of the burden of death in term of YLL due to colorectal cancer in Iran and a trend analysis. Patients and methods: National death Statistic Reported by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOH ME) from 1995 to 2003, stratified by age group, sex, and cause of death were included in this analysis. YLL for CRC were expressed as the annual rates per 100,000 of the general population, gender and age group. Results: The general rate of YLL for CRC increased during the years under study from 4.52 to 32.20 per 100,000 of thegeneral population and YLL mortality was higher for older aged males. Conclusion: Our study confirms a temporal trend of increasing YLL due to CRC. Currently there is a low rate of CRCscreening in Iran. We recommend that in Iran screening be started, at least in families with a history of CRC, in order to reduce the mortality and burden of CRC in the future.