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Worldwide, over 1 million cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) were reported in 2002, with a 50% mortality rate, making CRC the second most common cancer in adults. Certain racial/ethnic populations continue to experience a disproportionate burden of CRC. A common polymorphism in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene has been associated with a lower risk of CRC. The authors performed both a meta-analysis (29 studies; 11,936 cases, 18,714 controls) and a pooled analysis (14 studies; 5,068 cases, 7,876 controls) of the C677T MTHFR polymorphism and CRC, with stratification by racial/ethnic population and behavioral risk factors. There were few studies on different racial/ethnic populations. The overall meta-analysis odds ratio for CRC for persons with the TT genotype was 0.83 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.77, 0.90). An inverse association was observed in whites (odds ratio = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.74, 0.94) and Asians (odds ratio = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.96) but not in Latinos or blacks. Similar results were observed for Asians, Latinos, and blacks in the pooled analysis. The inverse association between the MTHFR 677TT polymorphism and CRC was not significantly modified by smoking status or body mass index; however, it was present in regular alcohol users only. The MTHFR 677TT polymorphism seems to be associated with a reduced risk of CRC, but this may not hold true for all populations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Associations between smoking status and selected life-style characteristics (food and beverage consumption, alcohol use, weight, height, obesity, education and Income) were examined among the five main ethnic groups in Hawaii (Caucasians, Japanese, Hawaiians, Filipinos and Chinese) in a sample of 18, 632 male and 19, 031 female adults who were interviewed from 1975 to 1980. Mean values for each personal characteristic, adjusted for age and ethnicity by analysis of covariance, were compared in each sex among non-, ex-and current smokers. Linear relationships with extent of smoking were also sought. Significant findings from these analyses included: an increasing use of alcohol and coffee from non-to ex-to current smokers; a greater consumption of meat and eggs and a lower consumption of fresh fruits and raw vegetables by current than by ex-and non-smokers; higher intakes of protein and cholesterol by smokers; and less obesity among smokers than non-smokers (females only). These results were consistent across ethnic groups. They were also in agreement with those obtained among Caucasians in the US and Europe, suggesting that the dietary preferences of smokers do not reflect cultural influences but rather universal personality traits or biological needs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]