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World J Gastroenterol. May 28, 2009; 15(20): 2526-2530
Published online May 28, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.2526
Risk factors for sporadic colorectal cancer in southern Chinese
Yi-Sheng Wei, Jia-Chun Lu, Lei Wang, Ping Lan, Hong-Jun Zhao, Zhi-Zhong Pan, Jun Huang, Jian-Ping Wang
Yi-Sheng Wei, Lei Wang, Ping Lan, Jun Huang, Jian-Ping Wang, Gastrointestinal Institute of Sun Yat-Sen University, Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510655, Guangdong Province, China
Zhi-Zhong Pan, Department of Abdominal Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong Province, China
Jia-Chun Lu, Hong-Jun Zhao, Institute for Chemical Carcinogenesis, Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510182, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Wang JP and Lu JC designed the research; Wei YS, Wang L, Lan P, Zhao HJ, Pan ZZ and Huang J collected the data; Wei YS and Lu JC analyzed the data; Wei YS wrote the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Jian-Ping Wang, Professor, MD, Gastrointestinal Institute of Sun Yat-Sen University, Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Yuancunerheng Road 26, Guangzhou 510655, Guangdong Province, China. wjp@mail.sysu.edu.cn
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Received: January 21, 2009
Revised: April 8, 2009
Accepted: April 15, 2009
Published online: May 28, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the role of smoking, alcohol drinking, family history of cancer, and body mass index (BMI) in sporadic colorectal cancer in southern Chinese.

METHODS: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted from July 2002 to December 2008. There were 706 cases and 723 controls with their sex and age (within 5 years) matched. An unconditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between smoking, alcohol drinking, family history of cancer, BMI and sporadic colorectal cancer.

RESULTS: No positive association was observed between smoking status and sporadic colorectal cancer risk. Compared with the non alcohol drinkers, the current and former alcohol drinkers had an increased risk of developing sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) (adjusted OR = 8.61 and 95% CI = 6.15-12.05; adjusted OR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.27-4.17). Moreover, the increased risk of developing sporadic CRC was significant in those with a positive family history of cancer (adjusted OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.12-3.34) and in those with their BMI ≥ 24.0 kg/m2 (adjusted OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.10-1.75). Stratification analysis showed that the risk of developing both colon and rectal cancers was increased in current alcohol drinkers (adjusted OR = 7.60 and 95% CI = 5.13-11.25; adjusted OR = 7.52 and 95% CI = 5.13-11.01) and in those with their BMI ≥ 24.0 kg/m2 (adjusted OR = 1.38 and 95% CI = 1.04-1.83; adjusted OR = 1.35 and 95% CI = 1.02-1.79). The risk of developing colon cancer, but not rectal cancer, was found in former alcohol drinkers and in those with a positive family history of cancer (adjusted OR = 2.51 and 95% CI = 1.24-5.07; adjusted OR = 1.82 and 95% CI = 1.17-2.82).

CONCLUSION: Alcohol drinking, high BMI (≥ 24.0 kg/m2) and positive family history of cancer are the independent risk factors for colorectal cancer in southern Chinese.

Keywords: Case-control; Colorectal cancer; Risk factors; Smoking; Alcohol drinking; Body mass index; Family history