Male pattern baldness and risk of colorectal neoplasia

Background:

Male pattern baldness is positively associated with androgens as well as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin, all of which are implicated in pathogenesis of colorectal neoplasia.

Methods:

From 1992 through 2010, we prospectively followed participants in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Hair pattern at age 45 years was assessed at baseline with five image categories (no baldness, frontal-only baldness, frontal-plus-mild-vertex baldness, frontal-plus-moderate-vertex baldness, and frontal-plus-severe-vertex baldness). Cancer analysis included 32 782 men and used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Restricted to men who underwent at least one endoscopy over the study period, adenoma analysis included 29 770 men and used logistic regressions for clustered data to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs.

Results:

Over the mean follow-up of 15.6 years, 710 cases of colorectal cancer (478 for colon, 152 for rectum, and 80 unknown site) developed. Significantly increased risks associated with frontal-only baldness and frontal-plus-mild-vertex baldness relative to no baldness were observed for colon cancer with respective HR being 1.29 (95% CI, 1.03–1.62) and 1.31 (95% CI, 1.01–1.70). Over the 19-year study period, 3526 cases of colorectal adenoma were detected. Evidence for an increased risk of colorectal adenoma relative to no baldness was significant with frontal-only baldness (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.06–1.26) and borderline insignificant with frontal-plus-severe-vertex baldness (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.98–1.33).

Conclusions:

Subtypes of male pattern baldness at age 45 years were positively associated with colorectal neoplasia. Future studies are warranted to confirm our results and to determine the predictive value of male pattern baldness to identify those at high risk for colorectal neoplasia.     

Single nucleotide polymorphisms and colorectal neoplasia risk: Updates and impact

Polymorphisms in genes related to various endogenous pathways (eg, metabolic, detoxification, and DNA repair) have been linked to colorectal cancer risk. To date, much of the literature has focused on the study of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA repair pathways (eg, base excision repair and nucleotide excision repair). Over the past years, SNPs within known cancer risk loci and in pathways related to one-carbon metabolism, inflammation or inflammatory mediators, and leptin signaling (among others) have expanded our understanding of how polymorphic variation across several genes and pathways influences disease risk. Work from our group explores how variants of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene and the CD24 gene impact colorectal neoplasia risk. Despite brisk research in this area, clinical applicability remains limited. This article includes an up-to-date review (2007-present) of several studies examining polymorphisms and colorectal neoplasia risk, a discussion of recent findings in the assessment of colorectal neoplasia risk associated with the APC I1307K and E1317Q variants from our group, and finally a brief assessment of the impact of polymorphism research on clinical practice to date.     

Recent developments in adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer

Recent developments in the use of systemic chemotherapy and intraportal dchemotherapy in the treatment for colorectal cancer suggests that a reduction in mortality is achievable. This paper provides an overview of the management of colorectal cancer and the rationale behind adjuvant chemotherapy. A review of the current research literature published from both America and Europe will follow. Finally, the limitations and implications of the reviewed data will be discussed.     

Sleep and cancer: Recent developments

During the past decade, the critical role of sleep in health and disease has been underscored by research that further defines the relationship between sleep and myriad physiologic and psychological functions as well as quality of life. For many years, there was little exploration of the significance of sleep and sleep disorders in cancer patients; however, the past decade has seen a steady growth of inquiry in this area. These investigations have demonstrated the high frequency and significance of sleep disturbance as a symptom in cancer patients. They have also explored the complex interaction between sleep and other common cancer symptoms, most notably fatigue, depression, and pain, and have identified risk factors associated with the development of sleep problems in this population. Although treatment studies lag behind, reports of effective psychological and behavioral interventions for insomnia in cancer patients are increasing. Several studies are addressing pharmacotherapeutic intervention for hot flashes as a potential source of sleep disturbance. Other sleep disorders, most notably obstructive sleep apnea, also occur with some regularity in cancer patients.     

Meta-analyses of colorectal cancer risk factors

Purpose

Demographic, behavioral, and environmental factors have been associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). We reviewed the published evidence and explored associations between risk factors and CRC incidence.

Methods

We identified 12 established non-screening CRC risk factors and performed a comprehensive review and meta-analyses to quantify each factor’s impact on CRC risk. We used random-effects models of the logarithms of risks across studies: inverse-variance weighted averages for dichotomous factors and generalized least squares for dose–response for multi-level factors.

Results

Significant risk factors include inflammatory bowel disease (RR = 2.93, 95 % CI 1.79–4.81); CRC history in first-degree relative (RR = 1.80, 95 % CI 1.61–2.02); body mass index (BMI) to overall population (RR = 1.10 per 8 kg/m² increase, 95 % CI 1.08–1.12); physical activity (RR = 0.88, 95 % CI 0.86–0.91 for 2 standard deviations increased physical activity score); cigarette smoking (RR = 1.06, 95 % CI 1.03–1.08 for 5 pack-years); and consumption of red meat (RR = 1.13, 95 % CI 1.09–1.16 for 5 servings/week), fruit (RR = 0.85, 95 % CI 0.75–0.96 for 3 servings/day), and vegetables (RR = 0.86, 95 % CI 0.78–0.94 for 5 servings/day).

Conclusions

We developed a comprehensive risk modeling strategy that incorporates multiple effects to predict an individual’s risk of developing CRC. Inflammatory bowel disease and history of CRC in first-degree relatives are associated with much higher risk of CRC. Increased BMI, red meat intake, cigarette smoking, low physical activity, low vegetable consumption, and low fruit consumption were associated with moderately increased risk of CRC.     

Fecal Adnab-9 binding as a risk marker for colorectal neoplasia

Adnab-9 binding in colonic tissue and effluent has been associated with an increased risk for colorectal neoplasia. We investigated if fecal binding by Adnab-9 may be used as a marker for colorectal neoplasia. A fecal-Adnab-9 ELISA was performed on samples of 249 patients and colonoscopic pathology results correlated. Fecal Adnab-9 binding was seen in 63% of patients with colorectal neoplasia (59% with colorectal cancer and 83% with adenoma), 33% with inflammatory bowel disease, 0% with hyperplastic polyps and 10% of controls. We conclude that fecal Adnab-9 binding is a promising risk marker for colorectal neoplasia.     

Reproductive factors and the risk of invasive and intraepithelial cervical neoplasia

The relation between reproductive factors and cervical neoplasia was evaluated in a case-control study of 528 cases of invasive cancer compared with 456 control subjects in hospital for acute conditions unrelated to any of the established or suspected risk factors for cervical cancer, and of 335 cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia compared with 262 outpatient controls. The risk of invasive cervical cancer increased with number of livebirths, the estimated multivariate relative risk (RR) being 4.39 in women with five or more births compared with nulliparous women. There was also an inverse relation with age at first livebirth (RR = 0.42 for greater than or equal to 30 vs. less than 20 years) which, however, disappeared after inclusion of parity in multiple logistic regression analysis. Likewise, cases of invasive cervical cancer tended more frequently to report induced abortions. However, this association was not statistically significant after allowance for confounding factors, including parity. No relation emerged with number of spontaneous abortion and age at last pregnancy. When the interaction between parity and sexual habits was analysed, the relative risk increased in subsequent strata of parity with increasing number of sexual partners or decreasing age at first intercourse, thus suggesting an independent effect of sexual and reproductive factors, and hence multiplicative on the relative risk of invasive cervical cancer. No consistent association emerged between the risk of intraepithelial cervical neoplasm and parity, number of abortions and age at first or last birth.     

Psychological risk factors for colorectal cancer?

The paper deals with personality correlates of colorectal cancer patients in the framework of the cognitive orientation theory. The cognitive-motivational approach and the construction and testing of a reliable and valid questionnaire for assessing the personality correlates of colorectal cancer are reviewed in the first part. In the second part in a new sample of 230 colorectal cancer patients the themes in the questionnaire are clustered and their structure is tested in a confirmatory factor analysis. Further, following the expectation that colorectal cancer is gender bound, the differences in the themes and belief types are applied to testing differences between men and women corresponding to the medical differences. Finally the questionnaire was applied to identifying the detected personality correlates in an attenuated form in a sample of Crohn’s disease patients who are known to be at risk for colorectal cancer. Discriminant analysis showed that the questionnaire provided a highly significant correct identification of cases of the three groups (165 healthy controls, 90 patients with Crohn’s disease and 230 colorectal cancer patients). The thematic clusters that constitute the personality correlates of colorectal cancer were found to be tendencies for compulsiveness, control of oneself and especially of anger, self effacement, pleasing others, self assertion, distancing oneself from others, keeping regulations, and performing to perfection all ones obligations. The three major foci of these tendencies are perfect duty performance, and two contradictory pairs: self effacement versus self assertion, and closeness to others versus distancing from others. The clusters and the contrasts constitute potentially sources of tension. It is suggested that the identified personality correlates be considered as psychological risk factors for colorectal cancer.     

Human papillomavirus infection and other risk factors for cervical neoplasia: a case-control study

A case control design has been used to investigate risk factors associated with the development of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) in a population of urban women in which non-affluent minority groups were heavily represented. Eighty-five women with histologically confirmed SIL were compared to a control group of 70 cytologically normal women. HPV infection was determined using both Southern blot hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification specific for HPV types 16, 18, and 33. When Southern blot was used to detect HPV, logistic regression analysis identified HPV infection (odds ratio (OR) = 17.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 6.2-51.6) and low educational achievement (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.2-10.1) as major independent risk factors. When PCR was employed to detect HPV, the logistic regression model suggested that HPV infection (OR = 10.4, 95% CI = 3.6-30.4) and Hispanic ethnicity (OR = 5.0, 95% CI = 1.2-20.5) represented independent risk factors; low educational achievement and Black ethnicity were risk factors of borderline significance. PCR detection of simultaneous co-infection with more than one HPV type was associated with a very high risk of SIL (OR for one type = 7.2, 95% CI = 2.4-21.9; OR for greater than I type = 43.0, 95% CI = 6.9-266.6). Furthermore, increased viral load determined by either method carried an increased risk of disease. HPV infection with viral types previously reported to be related to neoplastic or dysplastic lesions carried the highest risk of SIL. The association of HPV detected by Southern blot and SIL in women less than 35 years old had an OR of 10.1, whereas in women greater than or equal to 35 the OR was 74.5 (p = 0.09 for homogeneity of ORs). We conclude that infection with HPV is the major risk factor for cervical SIL and suggest that targeted HPV screening of women over age 35 may represent an innovative strategy to detect women at high risk of cervical neoplasia.     

A systematic review of microbial markers for risk prediction of colorectal neoplasia

Background Substantial evidence indicates that dysbiosis of the gut microbial community is associated with colorectal neoplasia. This review aims to systematically summarise the microbial markers associated with colorectal neoplasia and to assess their predictive performance.Methods A comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was performed to identify eligible studies. Observational studies exploring the associations between microbial biomarkers and colorectal neoplasia were included. We also included prediction studies that constructed models using microbial markers to predict CRC and adenomas. Risk of bias for included observational and prediction studies was assessed.Results Forty-five studies were included to assess the associations between microbial markers and colorectal neoplasia. Nine faecal microbiotas (i.e., Fusobacterium, Enterococcus, Porphyromonas, Salmonella, Pseudomonas, Peptostreptococcus, Actinomyces, Bifidobacterium and Roseburia), two oral pathogens (i.e., Treponema denticola and Prevotella intermedia) and serum antibody levels response to Streptococcus gallolyticus subspecies gallolyticus were found to be consistently associated with colorectal neoplasia. Thirty studies reported prediction models using microbial markers, and 83.3% of these models had acceptable-to-good discrimination (AUROC > 0.75). The results of predictive performance were promising, but most of the studies were limited to small number of cases (range: 9–485 cases) and lack of independent external validation (76.7%).Conclusions This review provides insight into the evidence supporting the association between different types of microbial species and their predictive value for colorectal neoplasia. Prediction models developed from case-control studies require further external validation in high-quality prospective studies. Further studies should assess the feasibility and impact of incorporating microbial biomarkers in CRC screening programme.Subject terms: Prognostic markers, Microbiome     

Epidemiology and risk factors of colorectal cancer in China

In China, colorectal cancer(CRC) ranked fourth and fifth in the highest incidence and mortality rates of all malignancies in 2018, respectively. Although these rates are below the world average, China placed first worldwide in the number of new CRC cases and CRC-related deaths because of its comparatively large population. This disease represents a threat to the health of population and incurs a heavy economic burden on the society and individuals. CRC has various risk factors, including age, se...     

心理社会危险因素与大肠癌的相关性研究

目的 探讨个性行为特征、情绪状态和生活事件等心理社会因素与大肠癌发生的相关性,为更有效的防治大肠癌提供科学依据。方法 采用以医院为基础的病例-对照研究,病例组256人和对照组488人采用团体用心理社会应激调查表对其生活事件、情绪反应及应对方式三方面进行测评。结果 多因素Logistic回归结果显示人际关系不协调(OR=32.245)、子女前途问题(OR=3.773)、个人健康状况变化(OR=1.655)、着急(OR=1.894)、遇事压到心底(OR=3.300)和苦恼时喜欢一个人独处(OR=1.928)是大肠癌的危险因素。而心情愉快(OR=0.310)和遇事换个环境排解(OR=0.194)为大肠癌的保护性因素。结论 某些负性生活事件、消极的情绪及应对方式均与大肠癌的发病有关,而常保持心情愉快与遇事乐观态度会降低大肠癌的发病几率。     

Reproductive factors and colorectal cancer risk among Chinese females

We report results from a population-based case-control study of colorectal cancer among Chinese women in western North America (NA) and the People's Republic of China (China). A common protocol was used to assess reproductive characteristics and hormone use of 395 Chinese women (189 from NA and 206 from China) with cancer of the colon or rectum and of 1112 age-matched Chinese controls (494 from NA and 618 from China). In NA, risks for cancers of both the colon and rectum were lower among parous compared to nulliparous women (odds ratio for colorectal cancer, 0.6, P = 0.08), but the trend in risk was not smooth with increasing number of livebirths. This association with parity was absent for both cancer sites in China. There were no consistent patterns in the relationships between other reproductive factors (including age at menarche, age at first livebirth, menopausal status) and risk of colon and rectal cancer on either continent.     

Serum bile acids and risk factors for colorectal cancer

The ratio of deoxycholic acid to chenodeoxycholic acid in the serum of 62 men was inversely related to body mass index and to saturated fat intake after adjustment for body mass index, smoking, and age conversely, this ratio was associated positively with the intake of fibre from grains.     

The your disease risk index for colorectal cancer is an inaccurate risk stratification tool for advanced colorectal neoplasia at screening colonoscopy

Tailoring the use of screening colonoscopy based on the risk of advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACN) could optimize the cost-effectiveness of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Our goal was to assess the accuracy of the Your Disease Risk (YDR) CRC risk index for stratifying average risk patients into low- versus intermediate/high-risk categories for ACN. The YDR risk assessment tool was administered to 3,317 asymptomatic average risk patients 50 to 79 years of age just before their screening colonoscopy. Associations between YDR-derived relative risk (RR) scores and ACN prevalence were examined using logistic regression and χ(2) analyses. ACN was defined as a tubular adenoma ≥1 cm, tubulovillous or villous adenoma of any size, and the presence of high-grade dysplasia or cancer. The overall prevalence of ACN was 5.6%. Although YDR-derived RR scores were linearly associated with ACN after adjusting for age and gender (P = 0.033), the index was unable to discriminate "below average" from "above/average" risk patients [OR, 1.01; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.75-1.37]. Considerable overlap in rates of ACN was also observed between the different YDR risk categories in our age- and gender-stratified analyses. The YDR index lacks accuracy for stratifying average risk patients into low- versus intermediate/high-risk categories for ACN. Cancer Prev Res; 5(8); 1044-52. ?2012 AACR.     

Multiple behavioral risk factors for colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer screening status.

BACKGROUND: Individuals who are not adherent to colorectal cancer screening have a greater prevalence of several other behavioral risk factors for colorectal cancer than adherent individuals. However, previous relevant studies have typically not considered the co-occurrence of such behavioral risk factors at the individual level. In the current study, we examined the prevalence, patterns, and predictors of multiple behavioral risk factors for colorectal cancer according to colorectal cancer screening status (adherent versus not adherent). METHODS: The study sample consisted of 11,090 individuals ages 50 years and older who participated in the 2000 National Health Interview Survey. Based on responses to survey questions, individuals were categorized as being adherent or not adherent to colorectal cancer screening guidelines and were also denoted as having or not having each of seven behavioral risk factors for colorectal cancer (smoking, low physical activity, low fruit and vegetable intake, high caloric intake from fat, obesity, high alcohol intake, and low intake of multivitamins). RESULTS: Individuals who were not adherent to screening reported having a greater number of risk factors than adherent individuals. For each screening group, there was a high prevalence of having low physical activity, low fruit and vegetable intake, and low intake of multivitamins. Demographic and health-related correlates of behavioral risk factor prevalence were identified in both screening groups. CONCLUSIONS: In combination with efforts to promote colorectal cancer screening uptake and adherence, there is a need to develop interventions to modify the colorectal cancer behavioral risk factors that are common among screening-adherent and nonadherent individuals.