Colon Polyps More Common in Hispanic Men Than Women

Among Hispanics, men are twice as likely as women to have colon polyps and are also more likely to have multiple polyps, a new study in Puerto Rico has found.

The researchers also found that the study patients older than 60 were 56 percent more likely to have polyps than those younger than 60.

Polyps are growths in the large intestine. Some polyps may already be cancerous or can become cancerous.

The study included 647 patients aged 50 and older undergoing colorectal cancer screening at a gastroenterology clinic in Puerto Rico. In 70 percent of patients with polyps, the growths were on the right side of the colon. In white patients, polyps are typically found on the left side of the colon. This difference may result from underlying molecular differences in the two patient groups, said study author Dr. Marcia Cruz-Correa, an associate professor of medicine and biochemistry at the University of Puerto Rico Cancer Center.

The finding about polyp location is important because it highlights the need to use colonoscopy when conducting colorectal cancer screening in Hispanics. This is the most effective method of detecting polyps on the right side of the colon.

The study was to be presented Sunday at the Digestive Diseases Week meeting in New Orleans.

"Colorectal cancer screening rates among Hispanics are dangerously low. Currently only 40 percent get screened despite the fact that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death among Hispanic women. As Hispanics become more acculturated to the U.S. lifestyle, they are losing the protective factor of their diet, which may account for the higher rates of colorectal cancer seen in U.S. Hispanics compared to the expected rates of cancer in their country of origin," Cruz-Correa said.

SOURCE: Digestive Diseases Week, news release.

Drinkers May Exercise More Than Teetotalers

Here's something to toast: Drinkers are often exercisers.

According to a new University of Miami study published in the September/October issue of the American Journal of Health Promotion, the more people drink, the more likely they are to exercise.

"Alcohol users not only exercised more than abstainers, but the differential actually increased with more drinking," said lead author Michael French, a professor of health economics, in a news release issued by the Center for Advancing Health. "There is a strong association between all levels of drinking and both moderate and vigorous physical activity."

In reaching their conclusions, the researchers examined data from participants in the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a yearly telephone survey of about 230,000 Americans.

From a fitness perspective, the findings were positive, the study authors noted. Overall, drinking was associated with a 10 percent increase in the likelihood of engaging in vigorous physical activity. For women, those who imbibed exercised 7.2 minutes more per week than teetotalers. The results applied equally to men.

French was careful to caution against overdrinking. The negative consequences of heavy drinking may outweigh the benefits of more exercise, he added. Heavy alcohol consumption has been associated with numerous serious health problems, especially cancer, heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver.

"While those who are at risk for problem drinking should minimize or curtail their consumption of alcohol, light to moderate drinking may be health-enhancing for some people," said French. "If responsible drinkers are using exercise to partially counteract the caloric intake from alcohol, that is not such a bad thing."