Wong MCS, Huang J, Lok V, et al. - In the present study, the researchers analyzed the incidence and mortality trends of colorectal cancer (CRC) in 39 countries according to age, gender, and anatomical location (colon vs rectum). Mortality data were obtained from 39 countries of the World Health Organization database. Using joinpoint regression analysis, they assessed average annual percent changes in CRC incidence and mortality in the past decade. In Finland, Australia, Canada, the US, and the Netherlands, the incidence of rectal cancer among persons younger than 50 y increased significantly. Among women under 50 years of age, the incidence of rectal cancer has increased in Costa Rica, Slovenia, Japan, Slovakia, Canada and the US, despite a decline in females over 50 years of age, although their elderly population has a stable or declined incidence. The authors discovered that the incidence of colon and rectal cancers has continued to increase in countries with medium–high Human Development Index and in younger populations in an analysis of incidence and mortality databases from 39 countries. Countries with increasing CRC and rectal cancer incidence and mortality need preventive strategies.