A large cross-sectional analysis using US nationwide data indicates that people with diabetes are significantly more likely to develop colon cancer than people without diabetes, according to a presentation at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology.

Researchers analyzed data from a comprehensive nationally representative sample of patients using the 1997-2003 National Health Interview Survey. Of the 226,953 patients in the study, 5.9 percent had a history of diabetes.

Researchers controlled for age, race, gender, obesity, alcohol use, tobacco use, and physical activity. After adjustment for potentially confounding factors, researchers found that people with diabetes were 1.4 times more likely to have colon cancer as individuals without diabetes.

“This work is important because it suggests that people with diabetes may be at higher risk of colon cancer. Until we know for sure, diabetics should pay particular attention to their doctor’s recommendations for colorectal screening,” said Donald Garrow, MD, one of the investigators.