A large new study has found that people with diabetes have a 47% increased risk of developing colorectal cancer compared to those without diabetes. However, the study also showed that getting a colonoscopy significantly reduces this risk, highlighting the importance of regular screenings for people with diabetes.
Published in JAMA Network Open, the study emphasizes that colonoscopies are especially crucial for individuals diagnosed with diabetes. It found that people diagnosed with diabetes within the past 5 years had the highest risk of colorectal cancer, suggesting that screening should be incorporated into healthcare plans soon after a diabetes diagnosis.
The study analyzed data from 54,597 participants who contributed at least two years of health data. These participants were part of a study that recruited people from 12 southeastern states between 2002 and 2009. The participants self-reported their diabetes status, and although the researchers aimed to include only individuals with type 2 diabetes, it is possible that some participants had type 1 diabetes. The average age of participants was 51 years, and 64% were women. More than half had an annual income of less than $15,000, and 66% were African American. The study showed that factors such as race, gender, weight, and income level did not strongly impact the risk of colorectal cancer among those with diabetes. Importantly, the study included a predominantly African American population, as diabetes and colorectal cancer disproportionately affect this group. The authors noted that medical research studies often face challenges in recruiting people of color, leading to a lack of data to inform healthcare decisions.
The study also provided important insights for people newly diagnosed with diabetes. Those diagnosed within the past 5 years were at a significantly higher risk of colorectal cancer than those who had been diagnosed for 5 to 10 years.
In conclusion, the authors suggest that increasing referrals for colonoscopies among people with diabetes, especially those who are newly diagnosed, could significantly reduce the impact of colorectal cancer. Current guidelines from the CDC recommend that most people begin colorectal cancer screenings at age 45.