N.L. has the highest rate of colorectal cancer in the world, MUN researcher says

Colorectal cancer diagnoses are on the decline across the country, but Newfoundland and Labrador maintains the highest rate in Canada — and among other countries, too. 

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, it's still expected to be the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer this year. That's behind lung, breast and prostate cancers. 

The organizations says over 25,000 people across the country will be diagnosed with the disease — around ten per cent of all new cancer cases in 2024.

Dr. Jennifer Gillis, director of surveillance for the Canadian Cancer Society, said they expect that 640 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador this year, with about 280 expected to die from the disease.

And while colorectal cancer rates across the country see an overall downswing, the demographics are changing. 

"We recognize that decline that we're seeing in Canada in colorectal cancer incidence rates may only be for older adults, as rates are reportedly increasing among younger adults," Gillis said.

Reasons for an uptick in rates in people under 50 remain unclear, while increased screening to identify precancerous polyps is helping to cut rates in the older demographic. 

About 92 per cent of cases of colorectal cancer are still expected among people over the age of 50. 

But, Newfoundland and Labrador is at the peak of another, more startling statistic. 

"Unfortunately, in Newfoundland, we have the highest rate, not only in Canada but in the world," Touati Benoukraf said. 

Benoukraf is an associate professor of genomics and bioinformatics at Memorial University, and Canada's research chair in bioinformatics for personalized medicine.

In his lab at MUN, Benoukraf and his team team analyze large genomic data, specializing in colorectal cancer. 

They start by studying both regular tissues and tumour tissues to see the differences. Then, they can find out what constitutes a predisposition to colorectal cancer and how tissues become cancerous. 

Benoukraf's goal is to determine preventive measures and potentially find a cure for colorectal cancer.