Body Mass Index in Early Adulthood and Colorectal Cancer Risk
Author Information
Author(s): Win A K, Dowty J G, English D R, Campbell P T, Young J P, Winship I, Macrae F A, Lipton L, Parry S, Young G P, Buchanan D D, Martínez M E, Jacobs E T, Ahnen D J, Haile R W, Casey G, Baron J A, Lindor N M, Thibodeau S N, Newcomb P A, Potter J D, Le Marchand L, Gallinger S, Hopper J L, Jenkins M A
Primary Institution: Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic and Analytic Epidemiology, The University of Melbourne
Hypothesis
Is there an association between body mass index (BMI) in early adulthood and colorectal cancer risk for carriers and non-carriers of germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes?
Conclusion
Body mass index in early adulthood is positively associated with risk of colorectal cancer for MMR gene mutation carriers and non-carriers.
Supporting Evidence
- Carriers of MMR gene mutations had a 30% increased risk of CRC for each 5 kg/m² increment in BMI.
- Non-carriers had a 64% increased risk of CRC for each 5 kg/m² increment in BMI.
- The difference in hazard ratios for carriers and non-carriers was not statistically significant.
Takeaway
If you are heavier when you are young, you might have a higher chance of getting colon cancer later, whether or not you have a specific gene mutation.
Methodology
A weighted Cox regression was used to analyze height and weight at 20 years reported by 1324 carriers of MMR gene mutations and 1219 non-carriers.
Potential Biases
There is a possibility of response bias where CRC-affected subjects recall their weight differently than unaffected subjects.
Limitations
The study relied on self-reported height and weight, which may introduce recall bias.
Participant Demographics
The study included 1324 carriers (737 females) and 1219 non-carriers (712 females) of MMR gene mutations.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.01
Confidence Interval
1.08–1.58
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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