Recent study Very thin people have a significantly higher risk of colon cancer

Lean people with high levels of insulin have a greater risk of colorectal cancer
Generally, overweight and obese people are at an increased risk of developing various diseases. But a healthy body weight is no guarantee for a perfect health. Researchers found that thin people may look healthy but still have an increased risk of colon cancer.

Researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in France found in an investigation that thin people are healthy, but sometimes have a significantly higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. This is related to an increased insulin level. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Public Library of Science Medicine".

Obese people are at an increased risk for various diseases. This includes some types of cancer. Researchers have now found that thin people may look healthier and still have an increased risk of colorectal cancer. (Image: kegfire / fotolia.com)

Measuring blood levels can improve diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer
Abnormal insulin levels are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, regardless of individual obesity, say the authors. The results suggest that blood level measurement could help identify the disease. This will increase the likelihood of early diagnosis and treatment, the researchers add.

Pay attention to insulin levels to avoid colon cancer
These results show for the first time that the colorectal cancer risk is associated with an increased insulin level in lean people, but also in people with existing obesity, explains Dr. med. Marc Gunter of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

Unhealthy diet and lack of exercise could be the cause
Often there are high levels of insulin in overweight people. Lean people are less likely to have elevated insulin levels, explain the authors. "We do not know exactly why even thin people can have an elevated insulin level," the researchers continue. A wrong diet or lack of exercise could be due to the increased insulin levels, so the scientists guess.

Insulin levels and BMI help assess the colorectal cancer risk
Measurements of the insulin level could be used in addition to the so-called BMI (Body Mass Index) as a new tool for assessing the risk of colorectal cancer. But we need stronger surveillance for that. In general, many of the cases of colon cancer could actually be prevented by a healthy lifestyle, explain the doctors. Prevention could be even easier if they are regular coffee drinkers. Because researchers have already determined in earlier investigations that coffee can reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Doctors are studying the level of C-Petid
The study was part of the large European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Survey (EPIC). The subjects included 737 colon cancer patients and the same number of people without the disease, the researchers explain. The physicians examined the subjects in the levels of a so-called insulin biomarker, the so-called C-peptide.

Pay attention to a healthy diet and sufficient exercise
The interesting new findings allow us to identify the populations of the population most at risk for colorectal cancer, say the authors. In general, it is very important to pay attention to a healthy diet and exercise regularly. This not only helps reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, but also protects against a variety of other cancers, explain the physicians. It is also known that, for example, fat fish protects against colon cancer and even inhibits tumor growth.
(As)