Colorectal cancer and ischaemic heart disease: an uncommon inheritance!
This study reports the relative risk of death from cancer and from coronary artery disease in 1,811 first-degree relatives of 205 young colorectal cancer probands. The elevation in the risks of death from cancer (eg colon 3.6; rectum 2.0; uterus 1.8; cervix 2.3) is consistent with, though of lower magnitude than previous studies. An unexpected find was a highly significant deficit in coronary deaths. Recently discovered molecular associations between colon cancer and cholesterol metabolism suggest that further family studies of bowel cancer and heart disease in a variety of populations may be worthwhile.
Kee
F
F
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Collins
B J
BJ
D002423:Cause of Death; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D012307:Risk Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality