[Alcohol, tobacco and colorectal adenomas and cancer. Case-control study in a population with positive fecal occult blood tests].

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the associations between lifestyle factors and colorectal adenomas or cancers in a population 50-74 years old.

METHODS

The study population underwent colonoscopy after positive fecal occult blood test in Health examination centers of the French general health insurance. The two sets of cases (n= 674 cancers, n=2618 adenomas) were compared with controls (n=5456). Associations between risk of colorectal disease and health data (mainly tobacco and alcohol consumption, physical activity, obesity, and laboratory test results) were analyzed with logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios.

RESULTS

The probability of colorectal cancer or adenoma was statistically associated with age (60 years or older in men and women). A significant relation between these diseases was observed with smoking (in both smokers and ex-smokers) and with alcohol consumption, with odds ratios above 1.30. The other risk factors studied were not significantly associated with these colorectal diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

This result provides still more evidence of the need for actions against these risk behaviors.