Long-term Metformin Use May Lower Colorectal Cancer Risk Among Men with Diabetes

A new study has found that the long-term use of metformin may decrease the risk for colorectal cancer among men with diabetes. This cohort study involved data from adult participants at least 40 years of age. To qualify, participants also had to have a primary diagnosis of diabetes, take a minimum of one diabetes-related medication, have a minimum of two outpatient diabetes visits, and have a lab record of abnormal HbAc tests.

After evaluating data from over 47,000 individuals, researchers found that increasing duration of metformin use was associated with reduced colorectal cancer risks among men. This same association was not detected in women.

These findings were published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention on May 1, 2018.