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Abstract
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Colorectal cancer represents a significant and growing public health challenge globally, ranking as the third most common malignancy worldwide and one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. The disease has traditionally been considered a malignancy of the elderly population in Western countries, but recent epidemiological trends demonstrate a concerning shift, with increasing incidence rates in developing nations and a notable rise in younger patient populations. In Iraq specifically, while the incidence of colorectal cancer remains relatively low compared to Western countries, the disease burden has been progressively increasing over the past two decades. According to data from the Iraqi National Cancer Registry, colorectal cancer incidence has risen from less than six cases per one hundred thousand population in the early 2000s to approximately six cases per one hundred thousand by 2019, representing a statistically significant upward trend with an average annual percentage change of approximately seven to nine percent in both males and females [1]. Currently, colorectal cancer ranks as the sixth most common cancer among the Iraqi population, accounting for approximately six percent of all malignancies registered in the country [2]. This epidemiological transition is particularly concerning given that Iraq lacks a well-established population-based colorectal cancer screening program, and many cases are diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited and outcomes are generally poor.
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