Increased risk of colorectal cancer in young males with higher cardiovascular risk: A nationwide population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND Although the link between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and various cancers is well-established, the relationship between CVD risk and colorectal cancer (CRC) remains underexplored. AIM To elucidate the relationship between CVD risk scores and CRC incidence. METHODS In this population-based cohort study, participants from the 2009 National Health Checkup were followed-up until 2020. The cardiovascular (CV) risk score was calculated as the sum of risk factors (age, family history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, smoking status, and high-density lipoprotein levels) with high-density lipoprotein (≥ 60 mg/dL) reducing the risk score by one. The primary outcome was incidence of newly diagnosed CRC. RESULTS Among 2526628 individuals, 30329 developed CRC during a mean follow-up of 10.1 years. Categorized by CV risk scores (0, 1, 2, and ≥ 3). CRC risk increased with higher CV risk scores after adjusting for covariates [(hazard ratio = 1.155, 95% confidence interval: 1.107-1.205) in risk score ≥ 3, P < 0.001]. This association was exclusively observed in males, most notably in the younger cohort (< 50 years) and was more pronounced in individuals not using statins. Moreover, even in participants without diabetes, a higher CV risk was associated with an increased CRC risk. CONCLUSION Increased CV risk scores were significantly associated with higher CRC risk, especially among males, younger populations, and non-statin users. Thus, males with a higher CV risk score, even at a younger age, are recommended to control their risk factors and undergo individualized CRC screening.