Positive Health Online

Abstract

CROSS and colleagues, Nutritional Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, Rockville, MD, USA, have looked at the connection between iron and the risk of colorectal cancer.

Background

Previous studies have associated iron with both the initiation and promotion stages of carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether iron is associated with colorectal cancer.

Methodology

In a nested case-control study within the alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene cancer prevention study cohort, exposure to iron was assessed at baseline, using a 276-item food frequency questionnaire and a fasting serum sample. The study included 130 colorectal cancer cases (73 colon cancers and 57 rectal cancers) and 260 controls.

Results

Comparing the highest to the lowest quartiles, there was an inverse association between serum iron and colorectal cancer risk (Odds Ratio = 0.4) and a suggestion of an inverse association between dietary iron and colorectal cancer risk (Odds Ratio = 0.4). In addition, serum ferritin, serum iron and transferrin saturation were all inversely associated with colon cancer risk specifically, whereas serum unsaturated iron binding capacity was positively associated with colon cancer risk (Odds Ratio = 4.7, p trend = 0.009).

Conclusion

There is a significant inverse association between the levels of iron in the blood and the risk of colon cancer.

References

Cross AJ, Gunter MJ, Wood RJ, Pietinen P, Taylor PR, Virtamo J, Albanes D, Sinha R. Iron and colorectal cancer risk in the alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene cancer prevention study. International Journal of Cancer 118 (12): 3147-3152, Jun 15, 2006.