Health
Hormone levels may indicate colorectal cancer risk
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 26, 2004
Elevated levels of plasma C-peptide, an indicator of insulin production, may suggest an increased risk for colorectal cancer, according to a study in this month's Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston tested samples collected from 176 participants in the Physicians' Health Study who developed the cancer and compared them to 294 healthy controls. Elevated insulin production as indicated by high levels of the peptide correlated with cancer risk independent of body mass index.
Because increased insulin production is associated with a poor diet and lack of exercise, the authors suggested that this risk could be modified with lifestyle changes.
"By reducing risk factors associated with high insulin production, specifically through modifying dietary behaviors and exercising more, individuals can take their health into their own hands," said Jing Ma, MD, PhD, lead author and associate epidemiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/04/26/hlbf0426.htm.
