The descriptive epidemiology of age at colorectal cancer diagnosis in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The optimal age for introducing colorectal cancer (CRC) screening remains controversial especially in low-and middle-income countries, where evidence is limited, and the CRC incidence appears to be gradually increasing. In this systematic review, we aimed to summarise the age profile of CRC cases at diagnosis on the African continent to inform the most appropriate age for CRC screening initiation.

Methods

Four electronic databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science were searched using relevant subject headings and keywords from 1 January 2012 to 22 September 2023. The third volume of the African Cancer Registry Network (AFCRN) report was also included. Studies of African populations reporting the age profiles of representative CRC patient populations were

SUBMITTER: Matovu N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12441720 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature