Objective:

To assess colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality statistics in China from 2004 to 2021 and investigate trends based on age, sex, urban-rural classifications, and geographic regions, highlighting the significance of these trends for public health.

Key Findings:

• Age-standardized CRC mortality rate was 11.5 per 100,000 (95% CI: 11.3 - 11.7), with males (14.2) higher than females (9.1).
• Urban mortality rate (14.1) exceeded rural rate (10.0).
• Mortality rate for individuals aged 65 and older increased significantly, especially for those aged 85 and above (2.52% annual change, 95% CI: 0.98 - 4.09).
• The most pronounced increase was observed in males aged 85 and older in western rural regions (5.53% annual change, 95% CI: 3.14 - 7.97).

Interpretation:

CRC mortality in China shows significant variation across demographics, with higher rates in males, urban areas, and eastern regions, indicating a need for targeted prevention strategies and implications for public health policy.

Limitations:

• Data quality issues due to underreporting and missing variables in some monitoring locations, which may affect the overall findings.
• The study may not capture all regional variations due to the sampling method.

Conclusion:

Enhancing early detection and improving healthcare resource distribution are essential to mitigate the CRC burden in high-risk populations, particularly in urban and male demographics.