New Study Associates Hyperlipidemia, Obesity, and Alcohol Consumption With Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer
Douglas K. Rex, MD, MASGE, reviewing O’Sullivan DE, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021 Jan 28.
Early-onset colorectal cancer (EoCRC) is CRC that develops before age 50 years. This systematic review and meta-analysis included 20 studies and found associations of EoCRC with male gender (relative risk [RR], 1.59), Caucasian ethnicity (RR, 1.31), first-degree family history of CRC (RR, 4.21), obesity (RR, 1.54), hyperlipidemia (RR, 1.62), and alcohol consumption (RR, 1.71). Cigarette smoking did not reach significance with an RR of 1.35.
COMMENTIdentifying predictors of EoCRC is a major goal of CRC research. Unfortunately, these associations (other than family history, which is already used to guide screening) are not sufficiently strong to stratify risk for screening.
Note to readers: At the time we reviewed this paper, its publisher noted that it was not in final form and that subsequent changes might be made.
CITATION(S)
O’Sullivan DE, Sutherland RL, Town S, et al. Risk factors for early-onset colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021 Jan 28. (Epub ahead of print) (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2021.01.037)
