Association between fasting serum glucose levels and incidence of colorectal cancer : the Korean cancer prevention study-II

Abstract

Colorectal cancer(CRC) is the third and second most common cancer in men and women, respectively, worldwide (Ferlay, et al., 2010). In Korea, it is the third most common cancer overall, and the second most common cancer in men [2]. A Westernized life style and diet is thought to be one of the major reasons for the observed increase in incidence of CRC in Korea and in other developed countries (National Cancer Center, 2014, National Cancer Center, Shin, et al., 2012). Numerous studies have shown that colorectal carcinogenesis is associated with metabolic disorders, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus; however, the exact mechanisms are currently unclear (Jee, et al., 2008, Ishim, et al., 2013, Giovannucci, et al., 2010).

The incidence of diabetes mellitus has been increasing vastly in most countries, including Korea (Shaw, et al., 2010, Kim, 2011) and it undoubtedly represents one of the most challenging health issues of the 21st century (International Diabetes Federation, 2014). Many studies have reported that diabetes mellitus is related with the increasing incidence of CRC (Giovannucci, et al., 2010, Larsson et al., 2005, Deng et al., 2012, De Bruijn, et al., 2013, Yuhara et al., 2011, Zanders et al., 2014, Inoue et al., 2012). Recently, diabetes mellitus as well as impaired fasting glucose(IFG) as a marker of pre-diabetes, have been spotlighted as a way to minimize the medical and socio-economic burden of diabetes mellitus, by permitting early detection and intervention. Several studies have reported that pre-diabetes is a possible risk factor of cardiovascular diseases (Barzilay et al., 1999, Kim et al., 2013); however, there is currently no consensus about the association of cancer incidence and IFG. As CRC is broadly known to be a metabolic-related cancer, studying the incidence of CRC and its correlation with fasting serum glucose(FSG) levels could be helpful to design better prevention strategies for controlling the progression and development of CRC.