Colorectal cancer risk, chronic illnesses, operations and medications: case control results from the Melbourne Colorectal Cancer Study

Abstract

The associations between colorectal cancer risk and several chronic illnesses, operations and various medications were examined in 715 colorectal cancer cases and 727 age- and sex-matched controls in data derived from a large, comprehensive population-based study of this cancer conducted in Melbourne, Australia. There was a statistically significant deficit among cases of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, chronic chest disease and chronic arthritis and a statistically significant excess of 'haemorrhoids' among cases, and all of these differences were consistent for both colon and rectal cancers and for both males and females. Although no statistically significant differences were found for other cancers, there were twice as many breast cancers among cases (16) than among controls (8) and also there were 9 uterine cancers among cases and only 2 among controls. There was a statistically significant deficit among cases in the use of aspirin-containing medication and vitamin supplements and this was consistent for both colon and rectal cancers and for both males and females. There was a statistically significant excess of large bowel polypectomy among cases. The modelling of these significant associations simultaneously in a logistic regression equation indicated that hypertension, heart disease, chronic arthritis and aspirin use were each independent effects and consistent for both colon and rectal cancers for both males and females and also that these effects were independent of dietary risk factors previously described in the Melbourne study. The possible relevance of these findings towards an understanding of colorectal cancer risk and aetiology is discussed.

Prostaglandin E2 Prevents Helicobacter-Induced Gastric Preneoplasia and Facilitates Persistent Infection in a Mouse Model

“…Many solid tumors overexpress COX-2/PGE 2 , and polymorphisms in the COX-2 regulatory region determine the carrier's risk of developing several epithelial cancers. 10,11 The long term low-level intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibiting COX activity reduces the risk for colorectal cancer 12,13 as well as gastric cancer. 14 Tumor-derived PGE 2 is believed to promote cancer progression by stimulating cell motility/invasion and tumor-associated angiogenesis and by preventing tumor cell apoptosis (reviewed in 15,16 ).…”

Inhibition of Akt pathways in the treatment of prostate cancer

“…40 Outcomes data up to 20 years ago indicated a cancer chemopreventive effect for anti-inflammatory medications. 41 Large epidemiologic studies have examined this effect in celecoxib in a variety of cancers. 42 Specifically, the rationale for CaP chemoprevention using COX-2 inhibition was reviewed by Basler and Piazza.…”

EP1–4 subtype, COX and PPARγ receptor expression in colorectal cancer in prediction of disease‐specific mortality

“…6 This is particularly interesting in the light of recent reports that both appearance and progression of colorectal cancer are significantly decreased in the presence of long-term ASA-treatment. [7][8][9][10] Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate whether cell surface PG EP [1][2][3][4] subtype receptor and nuclear membrane, and peroxisome proliferating activated receptor (PPARg) and COX expression in colorectal tumor tissue are related to tumor-specific mortality after curatively aimed primary operation for colorectal cancer. 11 …”