Temporal trends and future projections of colorectal cancer burden in East Asia: an analysis of GBD 2021 data for China, South Korea, and Japan (1990–2050)

Over the past three decades, CRC burden has surged in China, Japan, and South Korea, with South Korea seeing the sharpest rise in incidence and mortality. By 2050, China's CRC burden is projected to grow substantially, while South Korea stabilizes, and Japan's increase slows. These trends call for country-specific prevention strategies tailored to local epidemiological patterns. The findings provide critical evidence for public health policy, medical resource allocation, and targeted interventions, emphasizing the importance of enhanced early screening and CRC prevention.