For the study, researchers created a mathematical risk model to assess the respective influence of lifestyle choices and genetics in the development of colon cancer. To create the model, the research team analyzed data from a previous study conducted in Spain with more than 10,000 patients. Participants in this study were interviewed about lifestyle factors like obesity, alcohol use, diet and body mass index, which are known to contribute to a higher risk of colon cancer. Among the study participants, a subgroup of 1,336 patients with colon cancer and 2,744 controls were administered a blood test for the assessment of genetic predisposition for the disease.
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Analysis revealed lifestyle factors have a higher association with colon cancer than genetics. Specifically, researchers determined changing behavior to eliminate a risky lifestyle factor like obesity could compensate for having four genetic alleles associated with colon cancer.
“Today, screening for colon cancer in patients with no family history is based solely on age,” said Víctor Moreno, MD, PhD, a professor of medicine at the University of Barcelona in Spain. “If we include information about lifestyle and genetics, we could classify the population into groups of greater or lesser risk, which would allow us to offer a more personalized follow-up.”
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