Objective To analyze the incidence of primary colorectal cancer (CRC) among residents in Xining of Qinghai Province from 2009 to 2014, and to provide the reference for local CRC prevention and therapy strategy.

Methods The residents of Xining of Qinghai were recruited in this investigation from 2009 to 2014. The morbidities of CRC in gender were calculated and age-standardized rate (ASR) was standardized by the world population in 1985 and the Chinese population in 1982. The trends of CRC from 2009 to 2014 and annual percent changes (APC) were analyzed by Join-point regression program.

Results Among the 1486 CRC cases occurred from 2009 to 2014, 850 cases were males and 636 cases were females. The crude incidence in total was 11.28/100 000 person-year, of which in male was 12.67/100 000 person-year and in female was 9.84/100 000 person-year. The standardized rate of incidence in males (8.34/100 000 person-year) was higher than that in females (6.10/100 000 person-year), and the ratio was 1.37:1. The standardized rate of CRC incidence in male had an obvious upward trend (APC=14.06, Z=3.98, P=0.016), the rate in female had a significantly upward trend (APC=14.01, Z=3.60, P=0.022), and that of the total had also a significantly upward trend (APC=14.15, Z=6.28, P=0.003). There was an obvious upward trend in residents after 40 years old (APC=8.30, Z=22.82, P < 0.001).

Conclusion There is an obviously upward trend of colorectal cancer in Xining in recent years. And it is imperative to promote colorectal cancer screening and improve the early detection and therapy.