Metabolic factors and risk of colorectal cancer in the metabolic syndrome and cancer project (Me-Can)

• Background The metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been related to an increased risk of colorectal cancer in some small studies, but it is unknown which factors in the MetS that are most strongly related to risk, and if there is an interaction between factors. Methods and Findings In the Metabolic syndrome and Cancer project (Me-Can), data on body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and blood levels of glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides were available in 289,866 men and 288,834 women. Mean age at baseline was 44.0 years and mean follow-up time was 12.0 years. During follow-up, 2,834 men and 1,861 women were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. We used Cox regression models to calculate relative risk (RR) of colorectal cancer by exposures transformed into Z scores (mean = 0, standard deviation = 1), and for a MetS Z score, and used regression calibration to correct exposure levels for random error in measurement. Significant increases in risk per one unit increment of factors were observed in men for BMI, RR 1.07 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.13), blood pressure, RR 1.10 (1.02-1.18), and triglycerides, RR 1.17 (1.06-1.28), and in women for BMI, RR 1.08 (1.01-1.15). The RR of colorectal cancer per one unit increment of the MetS Z score was 1.24 (1.18-1.31) in men, and 1.14 (1.06-1.22) in women. There was no significant positive interaction for any combination of two metabolic factors. Associations between metabolic factors and risk of fatal colorectal cancer were similar to those for incident cancer. Conclusions Our data add further evidence for an association between factors in the MetS, in single and combined, and risk of colorectal cancer. Our data do not support an interaction between factors in the MetS on risk.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

epidemiology

cohort studies

colorectal neoplasms

overweight

blood pressure

blood glucose

cholesterol

triglycerides

metabolic syndrome X

Oncology

Onkologi

epidemiologi

Epidemiology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)