Diabetes Linked to Colon Cancer Risk

Higher colorectal cancer risk for both men and women with diabetes mellitus

THURSDAY, Nov. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Men and women with diabetes mellitus run an increased colorectal cancer risk, according to a study published in the Nov. 16 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Susanna C. Larsson, MSc, of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis of data on the association between diabetes and colorectal cancer in studies published from 1966 through July 2005.

An analysis of 15 studies including 2,593,935 participants found diabetes associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, for a relative risk (RR) of 1.30 compared to no diabetes, the researchers report. The results were consistent between case-control and cohort studies, and in both the United States and Europe.

The link between diabetes and colorectal cancer did not differ significantly according to sex (RR for women: 1.33; RR for men: 1.29), nor by cancer subsite (RR for colon: 1.43; RR for rectum: 1.33), the researchers found.

"Our findings strongly support a relationship between diabetes and increased risk of colon and rectal cancer in both women and men," the authors conclude.

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