Study Validates High Colon Cancer Threat

Cancers of the colon and rectum pose an addedthreat for men and women with diabetes. Swedishresearchers reached this conclusion following an analysisof data from 15 studies, which included >2.5 millionparticipants. Nearly all of the studies had shown anassociation between diabetes and colon cancer. Someinconsistencies were present, however, includingwhether the link was seen in both men and women.

Reporting in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute(November 16, 2005), the researchers found that diabetesraised the risk of colorectal cancer by 30%. Further investigationfound no major difference between men andwomen. Diabetes increased the risk of colon and rectalcancers to a similar extent, by 43% and 33%, respectively.