Diabetes Raises Risk of Colon Cancer

May 26, 2004

DDW: Diabetes Raises Risk of Colon Cancer

By Charlene Laino

NEW ORLEANS, LA. -- May 19, 2004 -- Diabetes appears to raise the risk of

developing colon cancer, suggest the findings from a retrospective

case-control study.

Rambabu Chalasani, MD, Emergency Medicine and Acute Care Physician, Overton

VA Medical Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, presented the findings here

on May 18th at Digestive Disease Week 2004.

Dr. Chalasani said that a number of striking associations between diabetes

and colon cancer led the researchers to perform the study.

" The risk factors for the two conditions are remarkably similar: high body

mass index, increased central obesity, and sedentary lifestyles, " he said.

" Both disorders are tied to industrialization, with the highest incidence in

developed nations. "

Mechanistically, there is growing evidence of a link between high levels of

insulin and increased levels of growth factors that can promote colon

cancer, Dr. Chalasani added.

To explore the association further, Dr. Chalasani and colleagues evaluated

the medical records of 50,697 patients between October, 1998 and June, 2003;

about one-fifth suffered from diabetes. The mean age of the patients was 60

years, and 91% were male.

Multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for obesity, smoking, use of

aspirin, and alcohol consumption showed that those who had diabetes were 32%

more likely to develop colon cancer, compared with people without diabetes

(95% CI 1.12 to 1.55).

Also, alcohol consumption was associated with a 33% increased risk (95% CI

1.11 to 1.61) and obesity was associated with a 28% increased risk (95% CI

1.09 to 1.51), Dr. Chalasani reported.

While the findings still have to be confirmed in a prospective study, he

said that if the link is proven, people with diabetes should be offered

screening for colon cancer at an earlier age and more often than people

without the disorder. While awaiting further study, clinicians should be

aware of the similarities in risk factors for the two conditions, he added.

[Presentation title: " Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for colon cancer: a

case control study. " Abstract #104019]

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