A new analysis from the Women’s Health Initiative has suggested that colorectal cancer risk is associated with elevated fasting glucose levels, but not with hyperinsulinaemia.
The analysis identified 81 cases of colorectal cancer among a subgroup of 4,902 non-diabetic postmenopausal women who were followed for 12 years.
They had fasting serum insulin and glucose levels measured at baseline, and insulin resistance was calculated by the homeostasis model (HOMA-IR index). The majority had repeated measurements throughout the course of the study.
Compared to participants in the lowest tertile of baseline glucose (<5.0 mmol/L), those in the highest tertile (>5.5 mmol/L) had an increased risk of colorectal cancer (hazard ratio 1.74). The effect was more pronounced for colon cancer (HR 2.25).
However, serum insulin and HOMA-IR...
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