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Evaluation of Colorectal Cancer Risk and Prevalence by Stool DNA Integrity Detection
Published on: June 8, 2020
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Laxative type in relation to colorectal cancer risk
Jessica S Citronberg1, Sheetal Hardikar2, Amanda Phipps1
1Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle; Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA.
Annals of Epidemiology
|August 29, 2018
Summary
Regular use of nonfiber-based laxatives significantly increases colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. Fiber-based laxative use showed no association with CRC risk, suggesting differential effects by laxative type.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Constipation affects 40% of the U.S. population.
- Laxative use is common among individuals with constipation and colorectal cancer (CRC).
- Previous studies on laxatives and CRC risk have produced inconsistent results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between nonfiber-based and fiber-based laxative use and CRC risk.
- To address inconsistencies in prior research by differentiating laxative types.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study within the International Colon Cancer Family Registry.
- Included 4930 CRC cases and 4025 controls.
- Regular laxative use defined as intake >= twice weekly for >1 month; analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Regular nonfiber-based laxative use was associated with a significantly increased risk of CRC (OR=2.17, 95% CI=1.47-3.19).
- No statistically significant association was found between fiber-based laxative use and CRC risk (OR=0.99, 95% CI=0.80-1.22).
Conclusions:
- Nonfiber-based laxative use is linked to elevated CRC risk.
- Fiber-based laxative use does not appear to be associated with CRC risk.
- Laxative type is a critical factor in understanding CRC risk.
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