Risk factors for youngonset colorectal cancer

Authors: Valentina Rosato Cristina Bosetti Fabio Levi Jerry Polesel Antonella Zucchetto Eva Negri Carlo La Vecchia

Publish Date: 2012/12/08

Volume: 24, Issue: 2, Pages: 335-341

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Abstract

We analyzed data from three Italian and Swiss case–control studies conducted between 1985 and 2009 including 329 colorectal cancer cases and 1361 controls aged ≤45 years We computed odds ratios ORs from unconditional logistic regression models adjusted for major confounding factorsThe OR of youngonset colorectal cancer was 450 for family history of colorectal cancer in firstdegree relatives the association being higher in subjects with affected siblings OR 1168 than parents OR 375 The ORs of youngonset colorectal cancer were 156 for ≥14 drinks/week of alcohol 156 for the highest tertile of processed meat 040 for vegetables 075 for fruit and 078 for fish intake Among micronutrients the ORs were 052 for βcarotene 068 for vitamin C 038 for vitamin E and 059 for folate No significant associations emerged for physical activity overweight and diabetesThis study—the largest on youngonset colorectal cancer—confirms that several recognized risk factors for colorectal cancer are also relevant determinants of youngonset colorectal cancer Family history of colorectal cancer in particular is a stronger risk factor in young subjects as compared to middle age and elderly onesThis work was supported by the Italian Association for Cancer Research AIRC Milan Italy Grant No 10068 and by the Swiss League and Research against Cancer/Oncosuisse Grant No KFS700 OCS1633 The authors thank Mrs I Garimoldi for editorial assistance

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