A prospective investigation of early-onset colorectal cancer risk factors-pooled analysis of three large-scale European cohorts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is rising among adults under 55 years, but its causes remain unclear. Large-scale prospective studies are needed to identify risk factors for early-onset CRC (EOCRC).

Methods

We pooled three large European prospective cohort studies, examining 14 known or suspected risk factors with EOCRC (diagnosed <55 years, N = 1369) and later-onset CRCs (LOCRC) (diagnosed ≥55 years, N = 13,490). Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Higher body mass index (BMI, per 5 kg/m² increase), was strongly associated with EOCRC in men (HR 1.33, 95% CI: 1.18-1.51), particularly for early-onset colon cancer (HR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.32-1.82), compared to later-onset disease (H

SUBMITTER: Laskar RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12905300 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature